Diagnosis of macrosocial risks of drug use in Mexican municipalities

Abstract

Introduction. Factors associated with drug use are defined in terms of their proximity to the phenomenon and can be classified as individual, microsocial, and macrosocial. Macrosocial factors include variables of a geographic, economic, demographic, and social nature, which can be compiled from population censuses and surveys.

Objective. To determine the levels of risk for drug use in municipalities in Mexico based on macro-social indicators.

Method. Retrospective cross-sectional study, based on the analysis of population data, weighted by the Delphi method.

Results. Sixty-four municipalities with a high or very high risk of drug use were identified. Factors such as the volume of drug seizures, prevalence of student use, alcohol supply, and inequality among the population were weighted as the factors with greatest risk for drug use.

Discussion and conclusion. These data serve as a benchmark for guiding the efficient, rational administration of resources assigned for dealing with the problem of addictions, since they make it possible to identify localities with a greater need for care services.