Young Vision: Alcohol policy in Mexico

In recent years, Mexico has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the use of legal and illegal drugs. Several studies are showing that our country went from being a transit to a production and distribution territory for a variety of drugs. In terms of public health authorities have reported since 1998 that an otherwise resilient population has slowly turned into a consumer one. This group observes an increased availability of drugs, more opportunities for consumption, younger age of first consumption, and homogenization of drinking patterns between men and women.

But are churros (joints), metas (methamphetamine), ecstasy, inhalants and speed truly the most harmful drugs? Is illegality the only factor that determines the dangerousness of drugs and the level of priority assigned to address the drug phenomenon? Is it true that illegal substances are always more harmful than legal ones? The answers to these questions are addressed by Lisa Sanchez, Coordinator of the Drug Policy and Harm Reduction Programme of Espolea in this new edition of Young Vision. Read the document and find policy recommendations for Mexico to upgrade its alcohol policy.

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