Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in the Americas

Characteristics of Drug Abusers in Latin America

ARGENTINA
In general, abusers are male. Abuse among women, however, is not negligible; for example, 10 per cent of coca-leaf and 60 per cent of amphetamines abusers are females. Opiate and cannabis abusers are between 15-25 years of age. Amphetamine abusers are between 15-50 years of age. Benzodiazepine abusers are between 15-75 years of age, with higher rates of abuse among women in the 25-55 age range and among both sexes in the 56-75 age range. Coca leaf abuse is widespread among those 18 to 70 years of age (U.N. 1988).

            Opiates, cocaine and cannabis are abused by all social classes. Coca leaf is predominant among the lower class. Synthetic narcotics and amphetamines are more abused by the middle to high social classes (U.N. 1988).

BOLIVIA
Registries of drug (and alcohol) abusers  admitted to one treatment center in 1986 indicate that 65 per cent of registered abusers (N=85) are 15-30 of age, 48 per cent are 15-25 of age, the percentage of women abusers seeking treatment is insignificant, 78 per cent live in La Paz, the capital, 67 per cent are employed and 12 per cent are unemployed, 5 per cent are students and 16 per cent are professionals (CP 1991).

            According to a 1990 study conducted by the Bolivian Red Cross in La Paz, abusers tend to be male, between the ages of 17 and 25. Abusers of low socio-economic status are reported to use inhalants while those of high socio-economic status use cannabis and cocaine (CONAPRE 1991).

            Abuse of sedatives is reported more prevalent among men (about 4 per cent) than women (about 3 per cent) and is more pronounced among those aged 35 and over (7 per cent) (U.N. 1992).

BRAZIL
According to a 1987 study on students in the 10 largest cities in Brazil, men consume cannabis and volatile solvents more than women, while women consume amphetamines and tranquilizers more than men (Ministries of Health and of Justice 1989).

            Tranquilizers are abused mostly by women (80 per cent), with high concentration in the 12-17 age range (U.N. 1988).

            Volatile solvents such as glue, a preparation made of ether and chloroform called "lolo" as well as anti-cholinergics are most consumed by street children and youth aged 8-17 (U.N. 1988).

            In a 1989 study, students in private schools reported more "ever" abuse of any drug than public school students (Ministry of Health 1990).

CHILE
Abusers of most substances are male, between 18-25 years of age (U.N., 1991). It is estimated that 40-50 per cent of adolescents have smoked cannabis at least once in their lifetime, while 5 per cent of youth 12-19 years of age are reported to abuse cannabis regularly. It is estimated that 30 per cent of the adults have ever tried cocaine freebase in the northern regions, and about 3 per cent of the urban population in these areas are regular abusers. Most abusers are of middle to upper socioeconomic background (PAHO 1990).

COLOMBIA
Abusers of cannabis, cocaine, "basuco" (coca paste) and opiates are mostly male. Education is associated with increased abuse, reaching the highest percentages in the incomplete university level (National Household Survey 1993).

            More than two thirds of psychoactive medicine abusers are women, with highest levels of abuse among those who completed secondary or high school (National Household Survey 1993).

            Most inhalant abusers are male, about one third of which are between 12-17 years of age. Approximately 75 per cent reside in large cities, and almost 99 per cent have not completed high school (National Household Survey 1993).
 
            Results of a study with secondary school students show an abrupt increase in consumption from 13-15 to 16-18 age group (CMO 1990).

ECUADOR
The profile of drug abusers varies with the type of drug consumed. Cocaine tends to be abused by the higher class while inhalants are more abused by the middle class. This is attributed to such factors as the cost of the drug, education and cultural differences (table 2 and U.N. 1990)

Table 2. Abusers Profile by Drug-type, Age, SES, Education Level and Sex.

 Source: Pharmacodependency in Ecuador, Ministry of Public Health and UNDCP, 1992.

URUGUAY
Most of the abusers are male, with females accounting for about 14 per cent of marihuana abusers, 8 per cent of cociane abusers and 18 per cent of inhalent abusers (U.N. 1990).

            Abuse of marihuana and cocaine is reported more predominent among the 15-25 age range, while abusers of inhalents are somewhat younger, between 10-15 years of age (U.N. 1990).
           
            Abuse occurs in all social levels, though almost no cocaine is consumed in very poor social levels. Most inhalnt abusers are reported to come from low social and cultural levels and are often street children that do not attend schools (U.N. 1990).

VENEZUELA
In 1990, 30 per cent of cocaine and cannabis abusers were women. A reported 20 per cent of the "basuco" (coca paste) and 10 per cent of inhalant abusers are women. Inhalant abusers tend to be youth 9 to 18 years of age. Cannabis abusers are aged 13-25, "basuco" abusers 18-28 and cocaine abusers 20-35 (U.N. 1990).

            According to a sample of abusers in treatment centers, abusers tend to be single males, 18-33 years of age (with the highest risk group aged 18-26 years). Most abusers are reported to have only primary education, and are no longer studying. Abusers start taking drugs between the ages of 12-16, using cannabis as an entry drug (U.N. 1991).

            Cocaine abusers are of all social groups, while abusers of coca-paste are reported to belong to lower socioeconomic status groups (CP 1991).