Shared Responsibility

In Chile, Cocaine Consumption is on the Rise

Written by Ricardo Muga Friday, 16 April 2010 10:22

SR Blog

(Ed. Note: In an article published by El Mercurio this week, journalist Ricardo Muga and narcotics expert Francisca Florenzano discuss the difficulties Chile faces tackling drug consumption. Florenzano admits that The National Council for Drug Trafficking (Conace) should offer treatment for drug users.) 

Q-What’s your take on the drug situation in Chile?

A-The principal problem today is that we have a group of adolescents, even children, who are vulnerable and in danger of not only drug consumption, but of various other factors that accompany a lack of opportunity. As such, we must offer help not only oriented towards individuals and families but also towards certain territories. In terms of a diagnostic, one of the key concerns of my management will be to reduce the debt we have in respect to public access to drug treatment. Today the spots available for people needing treatment are underprovided and there is an important unanswered demand we have to meet.

Q-After looking at last year’s poll, Conace said Chile’s problem of drug addiction is under control, though many said this isn’t true. What is your viewpoint?

A-Yes, looking at the general consumption statistics and those of the student population effectively they are contained. Still, others consider that after all that has been done, all that has been invested in an organization dedicated to the issue, one might expect that the problem not only be contained but reduced. What casts doubt on matter of containment is there are a series of questions that serve as good indicators to a rise or fall in future consumption. In this regard we have a problem: in the student population the perceived risks of consumption have decreased and the student perception of accessibility has risen.

Q-When there are more students saying they’ve been offered drugs, and they also see drugs as less dangerous, who is responsible: the government, the police, parents, teachers?

A-The responsibility is always shared. Evidence shows that when children are in the midst of drug consumption or the message sent by parents is that drugs aren’t dangerous there is a much higher rate of drug consumption. Regarding this issue, it is important for schools to have clear rules in respect to drug consumption that are systematically applied. Another angle taken by critics notes a transfer in drug selection, from marijuana to cocaine.

When consumption of cocaine took root in Chile it was a very elite drug, but today it has formidably entered in lower income areas, at lower prices. In Chile it’s clear: the consumption of cocaine is on the rise.

Q-What do drugs represent today: health problems or public security threats?

A-Both. There’s a daily threat when we see violent assaults that are committed under the influence of drugs. In preventative terms, drug use isn’t only a public health problem but also social problem, and not just in the lower socioeconomic levels of society. 

Q-To solve security problems some people support legalizing marijuana, following The Netherlands’ lead.

A-We need to consider our own reality. In Chile, if we look at our national studies, seven out of every ten people who do not consume drugs disagree with the legalization of drugs. What’s more, one out of every three drug consumers doesn’t want drugs to be legalized either. In my opinion there isn’t a demand for legalization. 

Q-And as for its medical use . . .

A-Without being a clinical doctor, I think it should be considered with caution. In the case of amphetamines, with a medical purpose and regulations regarding their distribution, we know that it’s easy to loose control of proper usage. Before opening a space for the medical use of drugs we need to look at two things: if a drug is actually the most effective alternative and also what will the consequences look like in Chile if we open that space up.

Q-From a law enforcement perspective some say adolescent alcoholism has turned into a serious public security threat. Do you share this belief?

A-Absolutely. It’s a severe problem and it’s happening more and more at a young age. Seeing adolescents in the street plainly in an inebriated state not that late at night is far too common. Here there is clearly excessive tolerance given by parents.”

SOURCE: EL MERCURIO