Recent changes and new trends Trendspotter El Salvador Alma Cecilia Escobar Coordinator of the Drugs Observatory Lisbon, Portugal 14 November 2017
Recent changes and new trends regarding prevalence of PS use
Porcentaje Recent changes and new trends in prevalence of PS use 6,0 5,6% 5,0 4,0 Múltiples drogas y SPA 3.9% 3,0 2,0 Marihuana 2,1% 1,0 1,2% 1,1% Cocaína 1,3% 0,0 0,3% 0,1% 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Opioides 0,4% Inhalables 0,2% Múltiples drogas y SPA Inhalables Marihuana Cocaína Opioides Alucinógenos
First-entry patients assisted for mental and behavioural disorders caused by PS use by sex
Porcentaje Recent changes and new trends regarding prevalence of PS use 100,0% 90,0% Profile of first-entry patient and problema drug, year 2016 92,0% 80,0% 70,0% 71,0% 60,0% 50,0% 40,0% 41,4% 30,0% 25% 20,0% 17,4% 10,0% 0,0% 9,7% 7,8% 5,9% 6,0% 3,2% 4,2% 2,5% 0,4% 0,8% 18 y menos 19 a 25 25 y más Age groups Uso Multiples drogas Cannabinoides Cocaína Alcohol Tabaco 3,5%
Recent changes and new trends in the drugs market During the year 2016, as part of the Plan Cuscatlán, the interagency unit formed by aerial and naval armed forces personnel, took on actions against drug traffic and related crimes. The purity of retail level (on the Street) cocaine hydrochloride has a purity of 64,97% to 85,54% and adulterants like levamisol have been found in its chemical composition. Cocaine base has a purity between 50,65% and 81,30%, containing solvents like sodium bicarbonate and adulterants like levamisol and lidocaine.
Recent changes and new trends in the drugs market Naval Forces have carried out operations of interdiction of speedboats, drug seizures. The modus operandi detected is that drugs are tossed with buoys in deep sea and is later located through GPS by drug traffickers. The country of origin of the drugs trafficked by sea are Colombia and Ecuador. 1,681 kilos of cocaine seized in a submersible boat sailing at 231 miles south of Punta Remedios, Acajutla Sonsonate. The drugs are valued at 42 million dollars.
Drug-related social and health consequences Police reports inform of an increase in gang (maras) members in the sale and distribution of drugs in the country, associated with an increase in drug traffick and homicides provoked by turf wars for control of sale and distribution in local market. It is estimated that 60% of people arrested are common people and that 40% are gang (maras) members. 90% of those arrested for ilicit traffic and possession of drugs were male. 43% of those arrested were young people between 10 and 19 years of age. From the total of detainees (4,855), in 2016, 98% were Salvadoran. 89% (4,320 people) of detainees were unemployed. 53% of detainees were for possession of marijuana, 42% for illicit traffic of marijuana, and 5% for possession and illicit traffic of cocaine, crack and methamphetamine.
Drug-related social and health consequences From a total of 184 cases, 26 cases were associated with PS use disorders, with a majority of males. Cases of suicide attempt associated to PS use disorders In the range from 10 to 19 years of age, is where the highest risk of consummating suicide has been found, given that previous attempts for 80% of these have been registered. The main mechanism for suicide attempt used by these patients has been intoxication with different PS by 46% (12 cases). Among factors associated with PS, in the adolescent group, we can highlight depressive symptoms, loss of emotional ties, aggravated for being victims of violence and sexual abuse. One death by use of multiple drugs and PS 415 deaths by alcohol use. Mostly male.
Cambios recientes en la política de drogas en El Salvador Proceso de capacitación en detección temprana, consejería y terapia breve dirigido a profesionales no especialistas en la temática de drogas provenientes del Sistema Nacional de Salud (100 personas). Implementación del proceso de autorización del funcionamiento de establecimientos que atienden a personas afectas a drogas. Desarrollo de un modelo de abordaje municipal antidrogas para la planificación y ejecución de acciones en el ámbito local. Proceso de validación y pilotaje de los estándares de COPOLAD para acreditación de la calidad de programas de reducción de la demanda en tratamiento. Recertificación a operadores Socioterapéuticos Actividades de prevención y sensibilización dirigidas a instituciones educativas, centros de trabajo y comités municipales. Apertura de unidades especializadas en reducción de la demanda: CPTA/FOSALUD, Unidades de Salud Mental/MINSAL, CINNA/ISNA. Ejecución Proyecto Fondos Concursables para apoyar en equipamiento a las ONG.
Recent changes in drugs policy in El Salvador The National Anti-drugs commission and the Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador, carried out the second graduation of the Diploma in Fundaments of Drug Prevents, 33 people from institutions MINSAL, AMSS, FOSALUD, INJUVE, PNC, among others. National Study on psychoactive substance abuse in school population 2016. Study carried out by CNA jointly with INS/MINSAL, MINED. Memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, for conducting the following projects: i. Project AIRCOP, whcih is a multi-agency anti-traffic initiative aiming at strenghtening the capacities for detection, interdiction, and research of participating airports in countries that are points of origin or transit of routes used for trafficking illicit substances. ii. Project CCP, Global Programme on container control (CCP), with the aim of improving maritime and port security.