Introduction to Mexico’s Pioneering Drug Harm Reduction Programs
Mexico City, a hub for cultural and social innovation, has been at the forefront of addressing drug use from a public health and social justice perspective. A recent festival in the city featured a unique booth that offered free, anonymous drug testing, a pioneering initiative in the country’s drug harm reduction efforts.
The "Checa tu Sustancia" Initiative
The "Checa tu Sustancia" (Check Your Substance) booth, spearheaded by the Instituto RIA, a Mexico-based drug policy research and advocacy organization, aimed to reduce risk among people taking drugs. At the festival, members of the Instituto RIA used reagents and laboratory porcelain plates to test substances that some of the partygoers planned to use and recorded the data. Their analysis uses color changes to indicate what’s in the drug: It can reveal the presence of adulterants but not their exact proportion.
They also offered test strips that can detect the presence of fentanyl and nasal sprays of naloxone, a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Also available were informational flyers detailing the effects of various psychoactive substances and what to do to reduce the risks associated with using them, including simple but critical measures like staying hydrated and eating well.
Reactions to the Initiative
While some partygoers seemed wary of the initiative, others approached it with curiosity. "(There is) amazement, but also a little bit of fear, because there is a whole context of criminalization," said social psychology student Jessica Reyes Moreno, 27, a volunteer with Checa tu Sustancia. When unexpected substances are detected, users receive detailed information on what they are, about their risks, potential interactions with other substances and dosage adjustments, empowering them to make informed choices.
A container of cocaine belonging to a festival-goer sits at the Check Your Substance booth that offers free drug testing, and where people can confirm their drug does not contain adulterants or fentanyl, during a three-day electronic music festival in Mexico City, early Saturday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)
Harm Reduction vs. Abstinence
The "don’t do it" approach sees abstinence as the solution. In contrast, harm reduction, as defined by Harm Reduction International, aims to minimize the negative health, social and legal effects of substance use by working with people without judgment or requiring them to stop using drugs. The approach focuses more on people — and their communities— than on the substance. "We never say, ‘you shouldn’t consume this,’" said Zara Snapp, a political scientist and director of the Instituto RIA. "The best way to reduce your risks is not to consume at all. But if you have made the decision to consume, we want you to have as much information as possible so you can take care of yourself."
The Prohibitionist Approach
The prohibitionist, hardline approach of the war on drugs in Mexico has led to the perception of the user as someone who is necessarily associated with drug trafficking or criminal activities. Earlier this year, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled her government’s latest anti-drug campaign, "Stay away from drugs. Fentanyl kills," which centers on the synthetic opioid responsible in its deadliest year for more than 70,000 overdose deaths each year in the U.S. — now down to an estimated 52,000 deaths a year.
A government billboard warns against the use of drugs, noting that they may contain fentanyl, and offers a hotline to call for help in Mexico City, late Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Breaking Down Fear and Social Isolation
PrevenCasa reduces harm not by asking users to stop using, but by showing that their lives matter by providing them with safe injection equipment, showers, toiletries and social events like Friday movie nights. "These interventions improve quality of life, unlike a sign that says ‘fentanyl kills you,’" said Pacheco. "The right to health should be universal." Both Pacheco and Snapp emphasized that collective care is at the heart of harm reduction efforts. Whether practiced in the facilities of organizations working on the border or at electronic music festivals, the goal is to break down social isolation and fear in concrete ways.
A man shows his ecstasy pills and paper stub from the Check your Substance booth that offers free drug testing and where people can confirm their drug does not contain adulterants or fentanyl, during a three-day electronic music festival in Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)
Conclusion
Mexico’s pioneering drug harm reduction programs, such as "Checa tu Sustancia," are breaking down fear and social isolation associated with drug use. By providing free, anonymous drug testing and promoting harm reduction, these initiatives are saving lives and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their substance use. As the country continues to grapple with the complexities of drug use, it is essential to prioritize a public health approach that prioritizes the well-being and safety of individuals and communities.
FAQs
Q: What is the "Checa tu Sustancia" initiative?
A: The "Checa tu Sustancia" (Check Your Substance) initiative is a harm reduction program that offers free, anonymous drug testing to individuals.
Q: What is harm reduction?
A: Harm reduction is an approach that aims to minimize the negative health, social and legal effects of substance use by working with people without judgment or requiring them to stop using drugs.
Q: What is the goal of Mexico’s harm reduction programs?
A: The goal of Mexico’s harm reduction programs is to break down social isolation and fear associated with drug use and promote a public health approach that prioritizes the well-being and safety of individuals and communities.
Q: How can I get involved in harm reduction efforts?
A: You can get involved in harm reduction efforts by volunteering with organizations that provide harm reduction services, such as the Instituto RIA or PrevenCasa, or by supporting policies that prioritize harm reduction and public health approaches to substance use.
