An urgent and worrying issue for our society
I want to share with you my reflection on a serious and complex problem that directly affects our coexistence: the phenomenon of drugs and drug trafficking in Spain, with a special focus on the city of Barcelona. (…) The current situation reveals a worrying increase in the levels of drug consumption and the increasingly extensive presence of drug trafficking in our cities. According to data from the European Report on Drugs 2022, Spain is among the European countries with the highest rates of consumption of prohibited substances, showing the seriousness of the problem we face. In this context, Barcelona becomes a focal point, and is one of the cities most punished by the spread of drug trafficking networks and the resulting worsening of public security. In numerical terms, the statistics are terrifying. According to recent data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, drug busts in Barcelona have registered a 25% increase in the last year (…). In 2020, 22% of Spanish adults declared having consumed illegal drugs in their lifetime, with an increase of 4% compared to the previous year. Cannabis remains the most commonly used substance, with a prevalence rate of 11%, followed by cocaine at 4% and MDMA at 3%. (…)
How to deal with the problem from different areas
Faced with this problem, it is essential to approach the problem from several perspectives. It is essential to implement drug use prevention and treatment strategies. Prevention education from childhood, the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the expansion of rehabilitation programs are key actions to attack the source of the problem and help those who are trapped in the cycle of addiction.(…)
A hopeful conclusion
In summary, the current situation of drug trafficking and drug consumption in Barcelona and in Spain in general requires immediate and coordinated action. The scale of the problem calls for a collective commitment from society, the authorities and the media to raise awareness, inform and promote structural changes that allow us to build a safer and healthier future for all.
Martha Sanchez