Saturday, October 17, 2009

Drug Use in Mexico Vs. U.S.A

Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova released a report in Mexico City yesterday, indicating that cocaine usage doubled in Mexico during the past two years, from 1.2% to 2.4%. That is, as of last year 2.4% of the population between the ages of 12 and 65 had at some point consumed cocaine. This compares with the U.S. rate of 16.2%, calculated last year by a World Health Organization study. The states with the highest consumption rate in Mexico are, in order, Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Chihuahua, followed by Mexico City and Durango.

Marijuana continues to be the drug of choice in Mexico.

During the past three years Mexico has quietly moved toward decriminalizing drug use. Mariujuana, cocaine, LSD, and heroin will be tolerated for personal and limited use--about four joints, or half a gram of cocaine, or 50 milligrams of heroin. Bigger quantities, sales, and public consumption are still strictly forbidden.

The US rate of consumption of cocaine is by far the highest in the world, followed by New Zealand, at only 4.3%. Marijuana consumption in the US is calculated at 42.4%, the highest in the world, followed again by New Zealand, with a rate of 41.9%

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