Substance abuse in the Caribbean: a complex problem

ABSTRACT

The term 'substance abuse'is popularly seen as the abuse of mind-altering drugs, but the increasing use of agricultural products for suicide in the region should also be seen as substance abuse. Substance abuse can also mean intentionally taking a substance into the body because the user has a desire for a change of inner feelings. This implies that the substance must be mind altering and that maladaptive behaviour results. Substance abuse in the Caribbean is essentially about the use and abuse of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine; the intravenous route is still very rare. However, it becomes a delicate issue to find the dividing line between substance use and substance abuse (AU)