title: Illicit drug use in seven Latin American countries: critical perspectives of families and familiars.
abstract: This cross-sectional multi-centre study explored how family members and friends of illicit drug users perceived protective and risk factors, treatment facilities and policies and laws regarding illicit drug use. Family members and friends of illicit drug users were recruited in 10 urban health care outpatient units in 7 Latin American countries (Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico) to complete a questionnaire. The majority of the respondents chose psycho-social factors over genetic or biological explanations as causes of drug problems. Respondents felt that families and governments were responsible for preventing drug problems. Church/religious institutions were most often mentioned in the context of accessible treatment. When asked about access to treatment facilities, the majority said that there were not enough. Shame about drug use, cost, and limited treatment options were most often cited as barriers to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem Anna Nery, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jackiedasilva@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jaqueline da
authors.initials: Jd
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Carla Aparecida Arena
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Octavio Muniz da Costa
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Vargens
authors.forename: Cristina Maria Douat
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Loyola
authors.forename: Daniel Gonzalo Eslava
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Albarracín
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Gladys Magdalena Rodríguez
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Funes
authors.forename: Mabell Granados
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Ruth Magdalena Gallegos
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Ruth Jakeline Oviedo
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D007843:Latin America; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs