Drug Consumption in Latin America

Abstract

To the attentive observer, it is obvious that illicit drugs are being consumed in most of Latin America, but the nature of the problem varies from country to country. Different degrees of consumption can be observed in various parts of Latin America, although some countries, such as Brazil, display a wide range of consumption patterns. This chapter divides the countries of Latin America into three groups in descending order, according to the data available about their relative rates of illicit drug consumption: 1. The Andean countries, Panama and the east coast of Brazil. These appear to have the highest rates of illicit drug consumption. 2. Central America and Mexico. 3. The four countries of the Southern Cone: Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.