The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reported that in Mexico, the consumption of opioid analgesics, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, is nearly 800 times lower than in the United States. However, the sale without prescription of counterfeit drugs in pharmacies in northern Mexico is concerning.
According to the INCB, methamphetamines have been found incorrectly labeled as Adderall and fentanyl pills sold as oxycodone to English-speaking tourists. The UN has called on the international community to take urgent action to curb the rapid expansion of synthetic drugs, whose usage is surpassing traditional drugs and causing serious harm to public health.
In 2023, 430 cases of fentanyl consumption were reported in Mexico, confirming that the country is becoming a market for this dangerous opioid. The INCB highlights that drug consumption was the main reason for treatment for 60% of patients treated in 2023 by the NGO Youth Integration Centers, specialized in mental health disorders.
In addition to being recognized as a center for the production and export of fentanyl, Mexico is also emerging as a country of consumption of this synthetic opioid, which is 50 times more potent than heroin. The demand for treatment for fentanyl consumption has rapidly increased, especially in the border states with the United States, such as Baja California, Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa.
Before 2018, there were no recorded requests for care due to fentanyl consumption, but since 2021, they have risen to hundreds annually. The most consumed substances by patients were cannabis, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Regarding cannabis, a survey conducted in 2023 revealed that 26.9% of respondents had consumed this drug at least once, with an average age of 20 years for first use.
