Mexico City, Mexico — President Sheinbaum says the government’s public campaigns on drug use have contributed to reduction in fentanyl use. She said that the results of the 2025 National Survey on Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use (Encodat) provide guidance on the next steps the federal government will take in prevention.
After highlighting the reduction from 0.2 to 0.1 percent in fentanyl consumption in the period 2016-2025, she emphasized the information campaign aimed at young people that was started by former President López Obrador.
“It’s not just billboards, videos or radio. There’s a very important campaign in schools to prevent drug use, involving teachers and parents. We’ve focused a lot on fentanyl,” she said.
Sheinbaum said that marijuana use among teenagers fell from 5.3 to 3.7 percent and that the government will analyze the increase from 0.8 to 1.5 percent in the use of hallucinogens by adults.
She announced that next year’s actions will be aimed at preventing the use of amphetamines which have increased from 0.9 to 1.6 in adults, as well as opioids, which include medications such as tramadol, which previously did not require a prescription.
Health Secretary David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz stated that the Encodat 2025 survey revealed an increase from 10.6 to 14.6 in illegal drug use among adults between 2016 and 2025.
However, there was a decrease in experimental consumption among adolescents from 6.2 to 4.1 percent. The misuse of medications increased from 1.3 to 2.5 percent during the period mentioned, while opioid use remained low despite increasing from 0.1 to 1.4 percent.
The prevalence of fentanyl use remains low in the non-medical use category: 0.2 percent have used it at some point and 0.1 percent in the last year.
Regarding illegal drugs, cannabis use increased from 9.3 percent to 13.3 percent, hallucinogens from 0.8 to 1.5 percent and amphetamine-type stimulants, from 0.9 to 1.6 percent.
The methodology of Encodat 2025 was carried out by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the National Commission for Mental Health and Addictions, the National Institute of Psychiatry and the National Institute of Public Health.
Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014
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