Mexico Launches Major Anti-Drug Campaign in Schools

Mexico’s Minister of Public Education (SEP) is launching a campaign to combat drug addiction among students. The initiative targets 11.8 million secondary and upper secondary school students across the country’s public and private institutions.

In Mexico, from 2017 to 2022, the use of amphetamines, methamphetamines, ecstasy, and prescription stimulants increased by 218%, as reported by Mexico’s Ministry of Health (SSA). These substances affected 46.2% of those who sought addiction treatment. The use of emerging drugs like fentanyl has also risen since 2018.

This rise in substance abuse among children is particularly concerning, according to ISM. Adolescent alcohol and drug use can lead to dangerous driving, risky sexual behavior, permanent brain damage, and even lifelong addiction. Most adults with substance use disorders began using substances in their teens, as reported by CDC.

The government’s campaign, "Aléjate de las Drogas, el Fentanilo te Mata," (Stay Away From Drugs, Fentanyl Kills), aims to equip teachers with tools to facilitate discussions on addiction prevention in classrooms, using 1 million copies of a guide specially designed for teachers. Educators are expected to integrate these lessons into weekly schedules over nine weeks, with sessions lasting 10 to 15 minutes.

Engaging students in alcohol and drug education helps influence their attitudes and behaviors, both now and in the future, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.It also equips them with strategies for handling risky situations and empowers them to make safer, healthier choices.

The campaign also involves distributing 10 million copies of a guide for parents and families, alongside 500,000 informational posters and over 1,400 billboards nationwide. These materials detail the types of drugs, their health effects, and activities designed to engage students in learning about addiction prevention. Drug abuse prevention should encompass formal and informal health lessons, foster a safe and healthy school environment, offer relevant health services and support, and actively involve families and communities, according to the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime.

The campaign is set to roll out on Jan. 13, 2025 in secondary schools and on Feb. 4, 2025 in upper secondary institutions, as reported by SEP.