The Federal Government recently presented the Addictions Care and Prevention Program in the headquarters of the Ministry of Health. During the ceremony, Mercedes Juan, Federal Minister of Health, said that through this initiative it will be possible increasing efforts to strengthen the 337 primary health centers and 116 youth integration centers that are part of the prevention, early detection and treatment network.
Furthermore, the health official said that the addiction issue is a priority, because habits such as smoking and the harmful use of alcohol and other drugs cause adverse effects on individuals, communities and the social fabric.
She said that one of the main objectives is to delaying the age of first use of addictive drugs, since sometimes it is from 12 years of age. Also, she said, diagnostic processes will be improved and the provision of treatment will increase; moreover, dependence to addictive substances disorders will be incorporated into the primary health care level, with a focus on the needs of the people rather than in their disease.
Mercedes Juan said that both public and private residential facilities will be constantly monitored by the COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk) and the CONADIC (National Commission against Addictions), to evaluate the quality of care compliance.
Dr. Manuel Mondragon and Kalb, National Commissioner against Addictions, said that promote the inclusion of leads without Alcohol Program nationwide – commonly known as a breathalyzer – since only in Mexico City has allowed decrease in deaths due to excessive alcohol intake between 25 and 30 percent.
He explained that health promotion will be strengthened and the public will be informed about the risks and consequences of psychoactive substances, considering the characteristics such as age, gender, residence and activities they perform.
The program will work with adolescents and youth, he said, focusing in addiction prevention across the country. Also, special attention will be given to the population living in cities with high incidence and prevalence of legal and illegal substances consumption.
Finally, Manuel Mondragon said that this program will include teachers, researchers, students of all levels, parents, foundations, entrepreneurs, athletes and opinion leaders. Furthermore, research and training of human resources will be promoted.
Source: Secretaría de Salud (Mexico’s Ministry of Health)
