No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaU.S.-Backed Anti-Drug Coalitions Launched in Costa Rica

U.S.-Backed Anti-Drug Coalitions Launched in Costa Rica

Costa Rica will use the strategy of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) in several districts across the country. This approach has been successfully implemented in the United States to address drug risks. For now, the district of Oreamuno in Cartago, as well as Tibás and Mora in San José, will be the first to put this strategy into practice. The U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica will provide support to the authorities in these locations.

“It is a structure that we want to form in the district, where different community actors actively participate. We want to establish development associations, organized groups, district councils, and other important forces that contribute to creating the necessary tools for the prevention of drug use and the management of the overall health of the community,” said Erick Jimenez, Mayor of Oreamuno.

The implementation of the program in Costa Rica was recently announced. Mayor Erick Jimenez, along with the Mayor of Tibás, Alejandro Alvarado, and the Vice Mayor of Mora, Ariuna Cabal, participated in the summit in Chicago, where the plan was unveiled.

The three agree that addressing security issues must include prevention, not just reacting to crime. That is where the U.S. formula comes in, incorporating health promotion factors and the recovery of public spaces.

“For the municipalities of the Metropolitan Area, in my case as mayor of Tibás, it is very important because it aligns closely with the Tibás Safe City strategy, where we aim to strengthen community safety. We know that it’s not just about having more police or more cameras; it’s about empowering the people and the neighbors, so that we all take care of ourselves and create safer cities,” said Alvarado.

Ariuna Cabal mentioned that in the district of Mora, they expect to reactivate the groups they had before the pandemic. “There is an active coalition, but after the pandemic, it weakened significantly. With this process, we plan to reactivate it, join efforts, and link up with other cantons to work on a national policy,” explained Cabal.

It is hoped that in the near future, this initiative can be extended to the entire country and become law. The municipalities will work with the Embassy to ensure this happens.

Trending Now

Honduras Seizes $2 Million, Gold-Plated Pistols in Drug Raid

Honduran authorities struck a blow against drug cartels, seizing over $2 million in cash, war rifles, and flashy gold-plated pistols in Copán, a northwest...

Costa Rica’s Pride March 2025 Defies Restrictions and Celebrates Diversity

A large crowd gathered in Paseo Colón, San José, to participate in the LGBTIQ+ Pride March 2025. It began at noon, as people marched...

Costa Rica Joins U.S. Global Entry, Easing Travel for Tourists

Costa Rica took a big step forward, by officially joining the U.S. Global Entry program, a move set to make travel smoother for Costa...

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

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...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...
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