Illegal drugs consumption in Mérida’s young population

Abstract

Goal: To prove, know and describe the perception of Young Mérida’s population on illegal drugs, their use and maintenance in consumption. Method: A total of 94 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years old (M= 20.78, SD= 2.19) randomly selected, of whom 20 were interviewed and the rest was asked to
answer a poll and semantic networks. A descriptive, transversal and qualitative research was done. Results: 90% of the participants affirmed to believe that there has been an increment in people beginning to use and maintaining an illegal drug consumption, the reasons behind it being a bigger tolerance towards the topic, the diminution of drug prejudices, social media and education. Conclusions: Youngsters’ perception of drug use increase is due to easier access, an increase in drug consumption social acceptance and emotional problems/psychopathologies in Mérida’s young population and influence from media.