Mexico’s Cocaine Use Doubles

Over the last six years cocaine use in Mexico has doubled, according to a recent report issued by the Mexican government, the Associated Press reported Oct. 17.

In 2008, 2.4 percent of Mexicans 12 to 65 years of age used cocaine, while only 1.2 percent did so in 2002, according to the Mexican Health Department survey. 

The increase in cocaine use in Mexico is partly due to the drug being more available in the country, as a result of the U.S. cracking down on drug trafficking, said Carlos Rodriguez, the president of Mexico’s National Addictions Council. 

The report also found that the states of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, and Tamaulipas, which borders Texas, have the highest rates of illegal drug use in the country.

Overall illegal drug use in Mexico increased only slightly, from 5 percent of the population to 5.7 percent, according to the study.