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Alcoholism & drug addiction Peru's main mental health problems

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Alcoholism and drug addiction are Peru's main mental health problems, affirmed Rafael Navarro Cueva, head of the rehabilitation center at Hermilio Valdizán Hospital.

Of the two issues in Peru, the doctor affirmed that alcoholism was a greater problem than drug abuse.

Navarro explained that even though Peru had 1.3 million registered alcoholics, it was possible that there were up to 2 million in the country.

He affirmed that the majority of people that suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction were among Peru's upper and middle classes.

Alcoholism and drug abuse were not the only issues Navarro said were negatively affecting the country.

Navarro, the former head of the Peruvian Psychiatric Association and the Latin American Psychiatric Association added there was more corruption in Peru and that people's morals and values were decreasing.

According to Navarro, this problem could only begin to be solved if the government was willing to invest large sums of money in educating the country's people and providing them with adequate health care.

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# Adding More Confusion to the Issue says :
8 September, 2008 [ 14:39 ]

This article does not make much sense to me. If most of the drug and alcohol problems are concentrated in the middle and upper classes, how can government investment in education and health reach these people? NO ONE in the upper and middle classes go to public schools or hospitals.

I hope this is a poor translation from a Spanish article because this Dr. Navarro sounds like a quack based on the above.

# Mike says :
8 September, 2008 [ 16:25 ]

I think it is likely these are big problems, but I strongly believe violence in families is the biggest problem.  And that cuts clear through socio-economic levels.

# Cheech Marin says :
8 September, 2008 [ 16:53 ]

Pass the bong, Doc.

# Chong says :
8 September, 2008 [ 22:44 ]

Very funny, Cheech.  But seriously, how prevalent are 12 step programs, support groups, or forms of rehabilitation or drug and/or alcohol awareness in Peru? I am a recovering alcoholic myself and I could not have quit without the help of AA. I know that there is still a lot of shame surrounding this problem here in the States so perhaps it's stigmatized in Peru as well. I can tell you that based on the meetings I attend, alcoholism cuts across all socio-economic, gender, racial, and ethnic lines. It doesn't discriminate.

# mitch says :
9 September, 2008 [ 11:57 ]

I was told yesterday by someone that addicts are shot on site in Peru.
Can someone who is actually in Peru shed some light on this? Is this done?

# Mike says :
9 September, 2008 [ 12:14 ]

That's ridiculous.  They probably meant China.

# mitch says :
9 September, 2008 [ 12:37 ]

This person was pretty convinced it was true. But I did read of
the existence of several treatment centers, so maybe it's not.

Are you in Peru, Mike?

# martin says :
9 September, 2008 [ 14:17 ]

"I was told yesterday by someone that addicts are shot on site in Peru.
Can someone who is actually in Peru shed some light on this? Is this done?"

that is BS my friend. the person who told you that is full of it.
cheers from lima, peru.

hey i smoke a lot of weed, everywhere, nobody gives a **** about a stoner. lima's society is getting exponentially liberal. IMHO.

# mitch says :
9 September, 2008 [ 18:06 ]

I was hoping to find out it wasn't true. It all sounded quite backward to me.

# Mr. Balla says :
29 September, 2008 [ 13:45 ]

This comment was deleted


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# fer says :
28 November, 2008 [ 17:31 ]

What this article states is that according to the records, (upper classes) they can afford therapy and are accounted for. The lower classes use more toxic "PBC" and other less refine drugs and are not accounted for. Coca leaves is chewed in the andes but is not generally considered an addiction. There is very little goverment help for these issues. Im familiar with Dr. Navarro. Hes one of the top psychiatrist in Peru. Trained in Germany (he introduded cognitive therapies to peru)and founded a renowed clinic in Nana. Corruption and (fake) nonprofits are also not helping these issues by utilizing addicts like pawns in money making schemes.

# QA says :
28 November, 2008 [ 18:32 ]

I have to agree with fer.  No Doubt.

# Debbie B says :
16 January, 2009 [ 14:57 ]

I work in the addiction field in the US and am considering Peru. Are there treatment faclities? Who is treating all of these addict/alcoholics?

# Debbie B says :
16 January, 2009 [ 14:57 ]

I work in the addiction field in the US and am considering Peru. Are there treatment faclities? Who is treating all of these addict/alcoholics?

# terrina says :
24 January, 2009 [ 12:20 ]

The location of Indiana has made it an active hub for drug transportation and distribution both in and out of the State. The northern part of Indiana lies on Lake Michigan, which provides a major sea way access. In addition, numerous major interstates cross into Indiana and make it very easy transport/smuggle drugs. The major route of drug transportation is via the interstates using automobiles, cars or vans. The dominant drug cartels are the cartels that are organized, violent and well integrated with many other ethnic groups. These groups control the distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana in the State of Indiana.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
terrina
Alcoholism Information

# maria lopez says :
6 July, 2009 [ 06:06 ]

http://www.mdri.org/PDFs/reports/Peru%20Report%20-%20Eng%20-%20Final.pdf
If someone had the courage to tour the psychiatric facilities, this note would be completely different. The wrongly applied seclussion and inhumane conditions patients are  subject to  are unacceptable.

# maria lopez says :
6 July, 2009 [ 06:07 ]

http://www.mdri.org/PDFs/reports/Peru%20Report%20-%20Eng%20-%20Final.pdf
If someone had the courage to tour the psychiatric facilities, this note would be completely different. The wrongly applied seclussion and inhumane conditions patients are  subject to  are unacceptable.

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