By Jorge Rolón Luna*
According to the United Nations World Drug Report 2022, around 284 million people aged between 15 and 64 used drugs worldwide in 2020 (an increase of 26% compared to the previous decade). Youth drug use also grew, surpassing the previous generation. In Latin America, people under 35 make up the majority of those under treatment for drug use disorders. Worldwide, millions of people inject drugs, contract hepatitis C and HIV, or both diseases at the same time, and suffer psychiatric problems, suicide and hospitalizations.