Evolution of cocaine use in Mexico among the less favoured social classes

The main purpose of this paper is to show the evolution of cocaine use, and the presence of this drug among the less favored sectors of society. Data collected by the Information Reporting System on Drugs (IRSD), along 17 evaluations held twice a year in the period encompassed from 1987 to 1995, in health and justice agencies of the Mexico City area, were used for this purpose. The agencies that participate in the IRSD care mainly for people from the low and medium socioeconomic levels, as they are social assistance agencies, therefore, the high social level is underrepresented in the sample. The total sample collected by the IRSD in this period include 5566 drug users. Particular interest in this study was given to cocaine users (N = 589). Analysis were made on the trends of cocaine use along this period, and to detect changes along time. The relationship between the socioeconomic level, trends of drug use, and sociodemographic characteristics were also observed for cocaine users, and were compared with the rest of the sample. The main findings include an increase in the register of users of this drug. Cocaine is the fourth drug mostly used. However, as a first drug of use, it holds the second place among medium and high socioeconomic levels, and the third place in the low socioeconomic level. Sociodemographic characteristics did not present differences along the period of study. The analysis of these data by socioeconomic level show that cocaine users pertain mainly to the medium and low socioeconomic levels. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that users of high socioeconomic level are underrepresented in this sample, so it is probable that variations in this variable exist among other populations.