Aguascalientes is experiencing a sustained shift in drug use patterns, with a move away from alcohol and tobacco toward synthetic substances, primarily methamphetamines, according to data from the Mexican Observatory of Mental Health and Drug Use.
Records show that the use of legal drugs has become more frequent at younger ages. A significant portion of users began between the ages of 13 and 14, placing the problem within the school and family spheres, not just within healthcare settings. This trend coincides with a steady increase in the demand for specialized care, with one of the highest rates in the country relative to its population.
The state also stands out for the growing prevalence of crystal meth as the primary substance of concern. In less than a decade, treatment for methamphetamine use has multiplied several times over, displacing other drugs that previously led treatment requests.
Although alcohol and tobacco use remains the most prevalent, official data warn that the pressure on mental health services is increasingly linked to the use of synthetic drugs, which implies longer treatments and a greater burden on the public system.
Source: heraldo
