Latinas Are Taking Too Much Amphetamines

Filed in archive Latin Chat , Latin News on February 14, 2007

Hispanic women are taking too much amphetamines.

47% of women under treatment in the US for drug abuse declared that "met" is the most used one.

The University of Arizona (UA) is joining efforts with the Universidad del Estado de Sonora - Mexico (UNISON) in a project to fight this problem.

According to Gaby Sánchez López (the project's developer), for every three men using heroin, there's one women using it; for cocaine, the proportion is two to one; but for met, there are as many female users as male users.

Obviously, we have a problem.

She strikes the importance of taking account of the many factors that affects the women who take amphetamines.

"Our message (...) for people who work with these women is they need a broader perspective about the multiplicity of factors surrounding this problem."

López also said the problem is worst among border communities and illegal Latinas, since they live clandestinely and have limited access to health programs.

Unlike men, women's drug use is domestic or solitary. It requires a different approach and a better understanding from therapists, specialists, family and society.

Let's hope this bi-national project will help these lonely mujeres.

Source: La Voz