Cuban government confirms increase in drug use in secondary and pre-university schools.

The Cuban regime confirmed on Wednesday a concerning increase in drug use within the country's educational institutions, a rise that is directly attributed to the greater availability of narcotics on the island.

In the official program Mesa Redonda, Colonel Juan Carlos Poey Guerra, head of the anti-drug agency of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), stated that reports of incidents remain at the levels of education, although the greatest impact is seen in Basic Secondary, Technical Professional, and Pre-University education.

In the past month of April, the government admitted the presence of narcotics among young people and deficiencies in the control and confrontation of this social issue.

Dr. Alejandro García Galceran, director of the Mental Health Center of Centro Habana, stated in an interview with the official newspaper Granma that a significant increase in the consumption of psychoactive substances has been observed in recent years, particularly among teenagers and young people, who represent the most vulnerable group.

This Wednesday, the popular reggaeton artist Ja Rulay surprised his followers on social media by sending a strong message to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), where he urges the authorities to take drastic measures against drug trafficking.

It specifically referred to a dangerous synthetic drug known as "the chemical" that is circulating on the island and even affects teenagers.

This is not the first time that the consumption of cannabis by minors in the country has transcended, whether intentionally or supposedly accidentally, as reported in the case of three children from Villa Clara who were hospitalized earlier this year for consuming marijuana candies found in trash bins at the Abel Santa María International Airport in Santa Clara.

It is worth remembering that in 2022, at least four minors studying at the sports school in the province of Artemisa were using marijuana, according to reports from the Cuban state press citing local health authorities.

"Four young people under 18 were consuming marijuana at the José de la Luz y Caballero School of Physical Education in Güira de Melena! I don't know about you, but this data, provided by Ireno David Esquijarrosa Cueto, an official in charge of Mental Health at the Provincial Directorate of Public Health, alarmed me greatly," revealed a report by the local newspaper El Artemiseño this Tuesday.

In his radio-television presence, Poey pointed out that Cubans residing abroad are the main responsible parties for the situation, stating that a study revealed that the main impacts come from abroad.

In this regard, it was stated that there remains an intention among community members to introduce controlled substances into national territory via air routes, using passengers, cargo, and postal shipments, combining traditional and novel operating methods, as well as the triangulation of operations.

The Ministry of the Interior identified that the United States is the main source of drugs, especially synthetic cannabinoids in various forms, which increase levels of addiction and health risks, according to what was stated by Cubadebate.