Díaz C Jorge Bolívar, Brands Bruna, Adlaf Edward, Giesbrecht Norman, Simich Laura, Wright Maria da Gloria Miotto
Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.
Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2009 Nov-Dec;17 Spec No:824-30. doi: 10.1590/s0104-11692009000700011.
This quantitative and qualitative research describes the perspective of families and relatives of drug abusers in seven Latin American countries. In Guatemala, most of the people affected by the drug problem is multidrug abusers. Marijuana, followed by cocaine and benzodiazepines are the most used drugs. Of the respondents, 46% think drug use is a personal choice. They also recognize family as the most important protective factor, friends who use drugs and peer pressure are the major risk factors. The study reveals that the population believes that the response of the health services is insufficient, and that the preventive initiatives are not available or not properly addressed. The results show the need of more studies to update the knowledge of the drug problem in Guatemala. Future qualitative and quantitative research is needed to address the theme.
