Drug Consumption in Mexican Immigrants Interviewed in Northwest Mexico-USA Border Cities

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to confirm the existence of a relationship between the immigration stay in the United States and the use of illicit drugs. By applying a nonprobabilistic sample in Tijuana, Nogales and Ciudad Juarez 567 immigrants were interviewed 77.8% were males (average of 29 years old). The main reason of their immigration was the search for an “economic improvement”; most of them did not have the documentation to cross the border. The main destinations were California, Arizona and Texas. When comparing the use of illicit drugs before and after the immigration experience, the number of users of cocaine and methamphetamine were found to significantly increase. “Curiosity” was the main reason to drug use, as well as the fact of being “invited by friends”. Other reasons seem to be associated with the immigration experience: some used drugs because they felt depressed or because they needed to take a break and feel relaxed after working. These findings make it possible to confirm that the immigration experience modifies the pattern of use of drugs in some immigrants who have previously used these kinds of substances; some others start using them during the immigration stay.

Resumen

La presente investigación se diseñó con el objetivo de identificar si la experiencia migratoria de mexicanos a Estados Unidos puede ser un facilitador para el consumo de drogas. Mediante un muestreo no probabilístico se encuestó a 567 migrantes en retorno mayores de 18 años, en Tijuana, Nogales y Ciudad Juárez, siendo la mayoría de ellos varones con una edad promedio de 29 años. El principal motivo para migrar está asociado con la mejora económica, y la forma de cruce es predominantemente sin documentos. Los principales lugares de destino fueron California, Arizona y Texas. Durante la estancia migratoria se observó un incremento significativo en el uso de cocaína y metanfetaminas. Los principales motivos para usar alguna droga ilícita se relacionan con la curiosidad, la invitación de amigos, la depresión y para aminorar el cansancio producido por el trabajo, estos dos últimos aspectos relacionados con la estancia migratoria. Los resultados sugieren que en quienes ya han usado sustancias, la experiencia migratoria puede llevarlos a consumir otras drogas: para quienes iniciaron en Estados Unidos parece ser una opción para aminorar el malestar emocional que genera el choque cultural.