In case of death by overdose, AMLO orders to register which drug caused it

Nestor Jimenez and Arturo Sanchez Jimenez

Newspaper La Jornada
Thursday February 16, 2023, p. 6

In search of having more information on deaths from drug overdoses in the country, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador instructed all medical systems to define in the death certificates in this type of case, the substance or chemical that caused the death.

We have just given instructions for a circular to be sent to the entire medical system so that it is established in the death certificates and is not omitted or hiddenhe pointed out yesterday morning at the National Palace.

In order to avoid any increase in drug use, he stated that his administration is working on setting up rehabilitation centers and hiring psychologists in the IMSS-Benestar system; and we have youth programs for orientation and also mental health in hospitalsaccurate.

It is a topic that we must not trust each otherbecause what is happening in the United States it is very serious; more than 100,000 are dying of fentanyl overdoses. So, knock on wood, not expect for any reason that this becomes extensive. It is a latent risk, it is something that we must address, and we are doing it.

To prevent consumption from increasing, he announced that his administration will begin a strong campaign to provide information to young people and warn them of the effects of drugs, particularly synthetic ones.

We are even thinking of a more intense national campaign than those of Coca-Cola and Sabritas to promote their products, or, like those made by casinos, betting houses and other companies that are give it and give it in the media, he added.

Has consumption already increased? –He was consulted after he addressed the issue for the second day in a row at his press conference.

-No no. Not fortunately. We have located certain places, but, for example, in Guanajuato, we couldn’t explain why so many homicides. That is to say, it is a state with a long cultural tradition, of values, of family integration, of beliefs, but also with a lot of economic growth… so, why so many murders between gangs? Well, we are coming to the conclusion, and they are working on it, that they have more domestic consumption than elsewhere.

After comparing the case of that entity with Querétaro, which is its neighbor, and other entities with lower rates, López Obrador insisted that the violence is related to the areas where there is greater chemical consumption.

Also, he said, he is “linked to certain manufacturing plants (in Guanajuato). So, we must act there, because the lawsuit is for the drug dealing, that is, for consumption. Fortunately, we don’t have that, I gave you the example, not even in Sinaloa, where there are those laboratories there is no such consumption, because all those laboratories are for drug trafficking.

At the same time, he explained that the risk of increased consumption of some drugs It is in some places on the border, very localized. In the same way, he called not to believe narcocorridos or television series that advocate violence, but clarified that nothing should be prohibited, but should be reported.