EVOLUTION OF COCAINE USE IN MEXICO AMONG THE LESS FAVORED SOCIAL-CLASSES

The main purpose of this paper is to show the evolution of cocaine use , and the presence of this drug among the less favored sectors of soci ety. Data collected by the Information Reporting System on Drugs (IRSD ), along 17 evaluations held twice a year in the period encompassed fr om 1987 to 1995, in health and justice agencies of the Mexico City are a, were used for this purpose. The agencies that participate in the IR SD care mainly for people from the low and medium socioeconomic levels , as they are social assistance agencies, therefore, the high social l evel is underrepresented in the sample. The total sample collected by the IRSD in this period include 5566 drug users. Particular interest i n this study was given to cocaine users (N = 589). Analysis were made on the trends of cocaine use along this period, and to detect changes along time. The relationship between the socioeconomic level, trends o f drug use, and sociodemographic characteristics were also observed fo r cocaine users, and were compared with the rest of the sample. The ma in findings include an increase in the register of users of this drug. Cocaine is the fourth drug mostly used. However, as a first drug of u se, it holds the second place among medium and high socioeconomic leve ls, and the third place in the low socioeconomic level. Sociodemograph ic characteristics did not present differences along the period of stu dy. The analysis of these data by socioeconomic level show that cocain e users pertain mainly to the medium and low socioeconomic levels. Nev ertheless, it is important to remember that users of high socioeconomi c level are underrepresented in this sample, so it is probable that va riations in this variable exist among other populations.