### Fentanyl Consumption Surge in Baja California Over the Last Two Years
Over the past two years, the number of individuals consuming fentanyl in Baja California has risen by six percent, according to Víctor Salvador Rico Hernández, the director of the State Psychiatry Institute (IPEBC).
“In 2022, approximately 3.8% of the population in rehabilitation centers were fentanyl users. By 2024, this figure has jumped to 10%,” said Rico Hernández. This increase is attributed to surveys conducted by IPEBC among those receiving treatment in rehabilitation centers.
Rico Hernández noted that many of the patients seeking treatment in Baja California are from the United States. “They exhibit higher fentanyl consumption rates,” Rico Hernández added.
Additionally, the surveys reveal that methamphetamine is the most impactful drug among the population receiving treatment, with 56% of respondents having used it at some point. Furthermore, the IPEBC conducts general surveys asking the population about their lifetime drug use, as well as their consumption within the last year and the last three days.
According to the findings, alcohol is the most commonly consumed legal substance in Baja California, followed by tobacco. Methamphetamine emerges as the leading illegal substance, with 6.3% of the general population having tried it at least once. Comparatively, 0.3% of the population reported having used fentanyl at least once in their lives.
Rico Hernández clarified that these statistics do not necessarily indicate dependency on these substances.
From the surveys conducted on children and adolescents, alcohol and tobacco are the most consumed substances among this demographic, with no detected fentanyl use in minors so far.
### Secondary Article: Fentanyl Epidemic Witnesses Concerning Growth Across Various Regions
**In the United States**, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points to a worrying increase in fentanyl-related overdoses. In states like Ohio and West Virginia, fentanyl is responsible for over 70% of the opioid fatalities. Public health initiatives seek to combat this trend by increasing access to naloxone and expanding addiction treatment services.
**In Canada**, the province of British Columbia declared a public health emergency due to the alarming rise in fentanyl overdoses. Harm reduction strategies, such as supervised injection sites and drug-testing services, have been implemented to reduce the mortality associated with fentanyl.
**In Europe**, countries like the United Kingdom and Germany have also reported a rise in fentanyl use, albeit to a lesser extent than North America. European authorities are intensifying efforts to curb the illegal supply chain and improve treatment accessibility.
These international trends underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle the fentanyl crisis globally.