Addressing Drug Addiction from Stigma to Support

Few countries have approached the issue of combating narcotics through information and education; in Latin America we have forgotten to incorporate aggressive programs in the educational system to alert young people about drugs, what they are, their uses and what their consequences are, says in an interview José Antonio Álvarez León, a professor of the Law program at the Faculty of Higher Studies (FES) Acatlán of the UNAM.

Although some subjects related to health are included in the study plans and programs, the programs must be even more incisive, in addition to intensifying campaigns in the media. “If we are genuinely interested in young people, we would have to remind them through both channels, school and the media, on a permanent basis, of the exponential risk that drugs pose to their health and their lives.”

Referring in an interview to the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which is commemorated on June 26, he believes that it is also necessary to understand people who have the problem of addictions, not discriminate against them and, on the contrary, provide them with care.

In this context, it is worth noting that the prologue to the World Drug Report 2023, presented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, indicates that stigmatization and discrimination can be lethal, as they deprive them of help to make the challenges invisible until it is too late.

According to the document, the number of individuals who injected drugs in 2021 was estimated at 13.2 million worldwide, 18 percent more than previously estimated. Well over 296 million consumed them, which represents an increase of 23 percent compared to the past decade. And the number of those suffering from drug-related disorders has soared to 39.5 million, a 45 percent increase in 10 years.

The Report highlights how social and economic inequalities drive drug challenges; environmental devastation and human rights abuses caused by related illicit economic activities; and the increasing prevalence of synthetic drugs.

Demand for treatments for drug-related disorders remains largely unmet. In 2021, only one in five people were receiving them, and disparities in access between regions are growing.

In 2021, 618 substances were reported to be available on the global market, of which 87 were detected for the first time. However, the number of new opioid psychoactive substances has stabilized, and that of fentanyl analogues has even declined slightly after several year-on-year increases.

Youth are the most vulnerable population to drug use and are also the most affected by drug use disorders in numerous regions. In Africa, for example, 70 percent of people in treatment are under 35 years old, the report adds.

Perspectives

When talking about the topic of drugs, says Álvarez León, attached to the Criminal Law and Policy Program at that academic entity, various aspects arise such as public health and addictions; illicit trafficking and trade; and money. These axes are the reason it is a problem of global magnitude.

This commemoration focuses, from international organizations, civil and non-governmental organizations, etc., on public health and, in the context of human rights, on the non-discrimination and mistreatment suffered by victims.

In addition to suffering from the disease and being mistreated, they have little access to recovery and to restoring their lives, and then the issue worsens. Thus, the need to help to reintegrate them arises, but it is not easy, he recognizes.

Nor is it easy to combat the scourge because it is related to other crimes, such as arms trafficking. Due to its complexity, a multifactorial public policy is required. International cooperation is important to face this global challenge; generic regulations, exchange of information, even sharing policies that may work in one place and not in another, but serve to establish models and launch new care plans.

Along with proactive policy, there is a need for a real pursuit of criminals, with transparent trials and effective penalties and, on the other hand, measures to help victims, such as psychological treatments with follow-up, preventive actions.

In its resolution of December 7, 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to celebrate this anniversary on June 26 to show its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of the consumption of these substances.