WASHINGTON: The consumption of cocaine powder in North America is concentrated in the United States and Canada, and in Chile and Uruguay in South America, according to the ‘Report on Drug Use in the Americas 2015’ published by the Organization of American States, OAS.
More than 1 percent of the populations of the United States, Canada and Uruguay were identified as consumers of cocaine by the report, with Brazil and Argentina the countries with the next highest proportions of consumers.
According to the study, consumption is heaviest amongst people aged between 18 and 34, at a rate twice that of the general population.
Cocaine consumption patterns varied across the region in recent years.
While Argentina and Chile registered an increase in levels of cocaine use, levels are stable in Costa Rica and Peru, and continue to decline in the United States.
In the Caribbean, in 10 of the 11 countries with available data, cocaine use has increased in the past year, and is now highest in the Dominican Republic and Barbados.
The perception of ease of access to cocaine is higher in countries producing cocaine, including Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
The consumption of cocaine-base paste is concentrated in South American countries, particularly Peru, Chile and Uruguay.
The report was presented in the framework of the 57th regular session of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission of the OAS, taking place Wednesday to Friday at the commission’s headquarters in Washington.
