**Increase in Fentanyl Consumption in Baja California Over the Last Two Years**
In the past two years, the number of individuals using fentanyl in Baja California has surged by six percent, according to Víctor Salvador Rico Hernández, director of the State Psychiatric Institute (IPEBC). In 2022, the percentage of the population in rehabilitation centers who consumed fentanyl was 3.8%, but as of 2024, this figure has risen to 10%.
This increase is based on surveys conducted by the IPEBC on those undergoing treatment in rehabilitation centers. The director noted that many of the patients seeking treatment in Baja California are from the United States, highlighting that they tend to have a higher rate of fentanyl consumption.
**Drug Consumption Insights**
The survey also reveals that methamphetamine remains the most impactful drug among the population under treatment, with 56% admitting to having used it at some point. Furthermore, the IPEBC also conducts surveys among the general population, asking whether they have ever used drugs, used drugs in the past year, or within the last three days.
The results show that alcohol is the most commonly consumed legal substance in Baja California, followed by tobacco. For illegal drugs, methamphetamine tops the list with 6.3% of the population having tried it at least once. In terms of fentanyl, 0.3% of the participants have experimented with it. However, Rico Hernández emphasized that occasional use does not necessarily equate to dependency.
Among children and teenagers surveyed, alcohol and tobacco were the most consumed substances, with no detected use of fentanyl within this age group.
**Secondary Article: Surge in U.S. Fentanyl Overdoses Continues to Affect Mexican Border Cities**
The ongoing fentanyl crisis in the United States has had a significant impact on Mexican border cities, including Baja California. According to recent reports, the cross-border flow of fentanyl has been a major contributor to the rising number of overdose cases. Treatment centers in Baja California are seeing an influx of American patients seeking help for fentanyl addiction, further burdening local healthcare infrastructures.
Authorities have emphasized the need for cross-border collaboration to effectively address the fentanyl crisis. Joint efforts in public health awareness, law enforcement, and addiction treatment are critical to curbing the surge in fentanyl usage and its devastating consequences.
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