Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in the Americas

Extent of Drug Abuse in Central America

COSTA RICA
According to a 1988 study of the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (IAFA), 35 per cent of the population has abused drugs at least once in their lives. The drug reported most abused is cannabis (9.1 per cent), followed by tranquilizers and inhalants (8.5 per cent each), and cocaine (5.7 per cent) (CICAD 1993).

            Drug abuse is much higher among high risk groups as indicated by studies conducted in emergency rooms and detention centers. Analgesics are the most abused drug, according to a 1993 study among 1496 patients treated in emergency rooms, with an estimated Life ("ever"abuse) prevalence of 97 per cent. Tranquilizers are the next most abused drug, with prevalence estimated at 21 per cent. Other drugs abused include cannabis (7.2 per cent), cocaine (3.3 per cent), crack (2 per cent), and others as shown in the table 1 (CICAD 1993).

Table 1. Life Prevalence of Illicit Drug Abuse among Emergency Room Patients, 1992- 1993.

 * In 1992, subjects were only asked about cocaine abuse. In 1993, crack and coca-paste were included.
Source: CICAD, 1993.

            The same study was conducted in a detention center in San Sebastian (male population only). The most abused illicit drug was also analgesics, with an estimate of 84.5 per cent life prevalence, followed by cannabis (67 per cent), cocaine (49.5 per cent), tranquilizers (37 per cent), and stimulants (16 per cent) (CICAD 1993).

            Abuse is reported higher in 1993 than in 1992 and there are more drug abusers reported among detainees than among emergency room patients (CICAD 1993).

            Drug registry data for 1991 indicate indicates that there were 273 persons registered. Cannabis is the most abused drug (30 per cent) among those registered, followed by crack (22 per cent) and cocaine (19 per cent). Other drugs abused included tranquilizers (11 per cent), inhalants (6 per cent) and unspecified others (U.N. 1992).

EL SALVADOR
Tranquilizers are the most prevalent drugs abused in El Salvador, according to a 1991 study. About 34 per cent of the population reported having "ever" abused them while 18 per cent are current abusers. Current abuse is more prevalent among females (39.5 per cent) than males (30.6 per cent) (FUNDASALVA 1991).

            Stimulants are the next most prevalent drug abused according to the same study. About 29 per cent of the population reported ever abusing them. About 30 per cent are current abusers and 15 per cent abuse them at least one every 15 days. About 33.5 per cent of the current abusers are males and 23.5 per cent females (FUNDASALVA 1991).

            Cannabis is the next most abused drug. About 17 per cent of the population reported ever abusing it, 3 per cent are current abusers, 18 per cent are males, 9 per cent are females. Almost half of the current abusers smoke cannabis daily, and 30 per cent at least once a week (FUNDASALVA 1991).

            Cocaine abuse is not as prevalent. About 3 per cent reported ever abusing it and 0.4 per cent are current abusers. Males current abusers (82 per cent) exceed female (18 per cent) (FUNDASALVA 1991).

             Analgesics are the most prevalent drug abused in emergency rooms (78 per cent) and in detention centers (26 per cent), followed by tranquilizers (24 per cent and 13 per cent respectively), stimulants (9.5 per cent and 1.2 per cent), cannabis (7 per cent and 2 per cent), coca-type (cocaine, crack and coca-paste) (1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent), hallucinogens (0.8 per cent both populations) and heroin (0.3 per cent both populations) (CICAD 1993).

GUATEMALA
Sedatives abuse is reported most prevalent ("ever" abuse 37 per cent and current abuse 12 per cent) according to a 1990 survey in 3 urban centers, on people 12-45 years of age. Cannibis was the nexy most prevalent (7 per cent and 3 per cent respectively), followed by inhalants (3 per cent and 1 per cent) and cocaine (1.4 per cent and 0.3 per cent) (CICAD 1993).

            Among emergency room patients, analgesics are the most prevalent drugs abused (66 per cent), followed by stimulants (6.4 per cent), cannabis (3.4 per cent), inhalants (0.7 per cent), cocaine (0.6 per cent) and crack (0.4 per cent). In detention centers, prevalence of analgesics abuse is about 75 per cent, followed by cannabis (24 per cent), stimulants (15 per cent), inhalants (14 per cent) and cocaine (3 per cent) (CICAD 1993).

            Marijuana is reported the most abused drug (50 per cent), according to a study on the population between 11-18 years of age, carried out in 1983. The study indicated that most abusers are males (90 per cent). Shoe glue was reported the next most prevalent drug (42 per cent), followed by tranquilizers (35 per cent), barbiturates (24 per cent), "quinazolonas" (24 per cent), ethilic-alcohol (22 per cent), thinner (18 per cent), hallucinogens (7 per cent), LSD (4 per cent), cocaine (3 per cent). Another drug, buprenorphone, is in high demand among drug addicts in Guatemala. It is sold by prescription in drug stores with special permission from the Ministry of Public Health. (U.N. 1991).

HONDURAS
Analgesics are reported the most prevalent drugs abused among emergency rooms patients (80 per cent) followed by tranquilizers (10 per cent), cannabis (4 per cent), stimulants (3 per cent), inhalants (1 per cent), hallucinogens (0.5 per cent), cocaine (0.3 per cent), crack and coca-paste (0.2 per cent each), and heroin (0.15 per cent)(CICAD 1993).

            Analgesics are also reported the most prevalent drugs abused among arrestees in detention centers (80 per cent), followed by cannabis 30 per cent, tranquilizers (19 per cent), inhalants (10 per cent), stimulants (5 per cent), cocaine and hallucinogens (3 per cent each), crack and coca-paste (1 per cent) and heroin (0.4 per cent) (CICAD 1993).

            According to a study with secondary school students in 1988, "ever" prevalence of cannabis abuse is about 5.1 per cent and 0.6 per cent for cocaine (CICAD 1993).

            A 1987 study conducted among young people in two rehabilitation centers showed that 51 per cent of the interviewees had some history of drug abuse. Inhalation of glue was the most common practice (PAHO 1990).

MEXICO
According to a National Addiction Survey, 692,500 persons, or about 4.8 per cent of the urban population, ever abused some type of drug (abused = 6 times or more in a lifetime). Ever abuse for specific drugs is as follows : tranquilizers 132,500 persons or 19 per cent, amphetamines 129,000 or 18 per cent, inhalants 113,000 or 16 per cent, cocaine 44,000 or 6 per cent and marijuana 38,800 or 5 per cent (see table 1) (Mexico 1992).

Table 1. Individuals Who Have Ever* Consumed Drugs

           
* 6 or More Times in a lifetime
** Percentage of the whole population.
Source: Direccion General de Epidemiologia, SSA. Instituto Mexicano de Psiquiaria. 1992

            According to a National Poll on Addiction, 40 million persons have abused drugs on some occasion (JPRS 1991).

PANAMA
Analgesics are reported the most abused drug according to a study in emergency rooms and detention centers in Panama. Analgesics lifetime prevalence in emergency rooms is estimated at 73 per cent, followed by tranquilizers (15 per cent), cannabis (7.6 per cent), cocaine (5.4 per cent), crack 1.7 per cent, and coca paste 1.2 per cent (CICAD 1993).

            Analgesics lifetime prevalence in detention centre is estimated at 59 per cent, followed by tranquilizers (9 per cent), cannabis (13.2 per cent), cocaine (9.3 per cent), crack 3.6 per cent, and coca paste 3.1 per cent (CICAD 1993).

            High prevalence of abuse was also observed 24 hours before the interview: 17 per cent for cocaine and 22 per cent for crack in emergency rooms and about 1 per cent for cocaine and 28 per cent for crack in detention centers. Other drugs abused are stimulants, inhalants, hallucinogens and heroin (CICAD 1993).

            Cocaine abuse prevalence in the general population is 4.4 per cent according to a study of the White Cross (CICAD 1993).