No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica Sees Surge in Marijuana Use Among Youth 

Costa Rica Sees Surge in Marijuana Use Among Youth 

Over the past eight years, Costa Rica has seen a surge in marijuana consumption, with figures climbing from 32 users per thousand in 2015 to 44 per thousand by 2022.

In addition, the average age at which young people try it for the first time is between 12 and 19 years old.

This data was revealed by the the VII National Survey on the Consumption of Psychoactive Substances in the Population between 12 and 70 years of age, conducted in 2022 by the Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (IAFA).

The survey included the opinions of 16,059 informants from the 84 cantons of the Costa Rican territory.

“The importance of conducting surveys on the consumption of psychoactive substances, in addition to identifying whether they are present in a sector of the population, is to determine people’s perception of the problem of drug use,” said Oswaldo Aguirre, director general of IAFA.

The 2022 Household Survey on Consumption of Psychoactive Substances also provided information on the consumption of other products in the population.

“Based on the results, decisions are made, and adjustments are made to preventive, treatment, information, and communication programs,” added the director.

A significant observation is that the number of tobacco smokers was the lowest in the history of Costa Rica. The percentage went from 10.5% in 2015 to 7% last year.

Likewise, the highest number of alcohol and cannabis users are found in the 20-29 age group. Meanwhile, those who use tobacco, cocaine, and crack are in the 30-39 age group.

The study also indicated that six out of every 1,000 people use cocaine. The age of first use is in the 20s, and men are the predominant users.

At the same time, six out of every 10,000,000 people used fentanyl as an opioid medication without a prescription. Alcoholic beverages remain the primary psychoactive product consumed in Costa Rica.

Notably, 18 out of every 100 people reported using tranquilizers, stimulants, or opioids without a prescription.

“Understanding the scale of the consumption problem, its correlation with other societal factors, and its variation over time is crucial for intervention, as consumption impacts not just individual consumers but also families and the community at large,” remarked Wendy Castro of IAFA.

Trending Now

An Expat’s Take: 5 Burning Questions About Life in Costa Rica Right Now

Have you been keeping up with the various events taking place in Costa Rica? There is always something interesting going down, and here are...

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...

Costa Rica’s Piangua Mollusk Threatened by Pineapple Farm Runoff

Costa Rica’s Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland, a 33,000-hectare haven of mangroves and rivers, is under siege from an unlikely source: pineapple farms. A study by...

Costa Rica’s Cutris Mining Bill Threatens Massive Environmental Damage

Costa Rica’s government is pushing a controversial bill that could open the entire Cutris district in San Carlos—848 square kilometers—to open-pit gold mining. The...

Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica