Constituency 134 of the Buena Vista district, in the capital of Las Tunas, welcomed a group of specialists from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Provincial Prosecutor's Office to exchange ideas with the community in an effort to increase preventive measures, raise awareness of the risks, and promote social rejection of drug use and trafficking.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Dr. Alejandro Mestre Barroso, a toxicology specialist at Guevara Hospital, called on families and neighbors to reach out to the youngest members of each household in light of the irreversible impact of drug use.

The expert pointed out that those patients who started at an early age, first with cigarettes and then with psychotropic drugs, are coming to the clinic. "Consumption has shifted to new synthetic drugs popularly known today as ‘químico’ (Chemical), with a psychoactive ingredient that can be up to 50 times more potent than marijuana.

“Being synthetic, it causes a clinical picture and a rapid deterioration in the patient's state of consciousness, with a psychiatric pathology observed in just three months, which previously occurred after 5, 10, and even 15 years of consumption.”

The specialists issued a warning to every member of the community. They must know what is being done by the country's and territory's leadership, but it is not enough without the support of the neighborhood.

He pointed out that “this battle is not a one-day affair; it is a problem that can be eliminated through prevention from an early age, to promote a culture of rejection, as cigarettes are considered the main gateway to more complex drugs.”

Mestre Barroso explained that “Among the assistance services, the greatest strength lies in the family doctor's office; in addition, mental health teams led by psychologists and psychiatrists operate at the polyclinic level, while in Secondary Care, for those under 18, mental health detoxification consultations are available at the Mártires de Las Tunas Provincial Pediatric Hospital.”

On behalf of the Provincial Prosecutor's Office, Lisbet Pavón Marchán, head of the Criminal Proceedings Department, reaffirmed our nation's commitment to zero tolerance for drug use and trafficking.

The specialist called for a reflection based on Cuban law, in a detailed summary of the facts and penalties to which those involved in the possession, sale, and consumption of drugs are exposed.

“These crimes, which are included in the Penal Code, are specifically listed under the heading of Crimes Against Health, due to the serious consequences they generate, and very severe penalties are provided for drug trafficking. Hence, the message to the community: prevention is the art of saving lives,” she concluded.