Control policies on the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Latin America

Abstract

A review is being presented of the control policies on alcohol consumption, and the use of tobacco and illegal drugs in South America. In spite of the magnitude of the health problems generated by such use, the efforts to control them have been limited and have had modest results. The application of definite policies by the governments concerned is vital but they will have to overcome certain myths, particularly those that refer to the contribution made to the economy by the industries that produce and market legal drugs, and abandon ideologies that implicate erroneously infectious diseases are the only health problem in Latin America. And it is up to civil society, through non-governmental organisations, to organise the defence of the rights of inhabitants, directly or indirectly, affected by the problem, to make their voice heard and to contribute to the implementation of effective interventions. Finally, multilateral and bilateral cooperation is not exempt from responsibility. The contribution of the international community has been insignificant until very recently, particularly in the field of legal drugs. It is up to the international community and its organisations to mobilise the necessary resources and to promote the appropriate policies to control the use of legal and illegal drugs.