The mayor highlighted a public health crisis in the United States due to drug use, stating that 73.6 million Americans consume narcotics.

Luisa María Alcalde Luján, legal advisor to the Federal Executive, highlighted that the United States faces a public health problem, noting that 73.6 million Americans, representing 25.5% of the population, have used illicit drugs, while only 3.8 million Mexicans used drugs in the past year. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that this recognition is part of the dialogue between the two countries to address the causes of drug use comprehensively through campaigns. Furthermore, she said, the U.S. government acknowledged the importance of reducing the flow of weapons from the United States to Mexico. "We have repeatedly emphasized, since my first calls with President (Donald) Trump and now with the person responsible for this campaign and the overall attention to the issue of drugs in the United States, who previously met in Mexico, that this is recognized comprehensively," the president stated. Also read: Foreign Minister Velasco meets with Roberto Lazzeri, proposed as Mexico's ambassador to the U.S.; discusses economic agreement. During the morning conference on Tuesday, May 12th, Alcalde Luján announced that 23.6 million Americans are in recovery and 48.4 million suffer from substance use disorders. Additionally, the Donald Trump administration recognized the "failure" of the punitive model and the importance of preventing drug use. "We quote: 'The era of containment has failed. Reactive approaches have failed in our communities. We must end the scourge of drug addiction by preventing drug use before it starts, providing treatment as early as possible, and supporting those in recovery.' This is part of the strategy and is an initial letter written by the President of the United States," the official emphasized. The legal advisor indicated that the actions to address demand and prevent drug use include a focus on education, awareness, and promoting healthy environments, which includes a national campaign on television, radio, social media, and streaming to promote health and sports, especially among young people. Also read: IACHR and the UN agree on the crisis of disappearances in Mexico, collectives point out; convene working tables with international organizations. Furthermore, it aims to implement school and community prevention programs based on scientific evidence. Additionally, it aims to understand addiction as a disease, with a public health approach that prioritizes early intervention and expands access to recovery treatments, including medical care and addiction treatment focused on rehabilitation, psychological support, and integration into society, both in the workplace and within families and communities. It also integrates addiction treatment into the general healthcare system. It also celebrates recovery through mutual support networks, local coalitions, and community organizations, especially in vulnerable sectors, and specifically encourages the certification and preparation of workplaces to include people in recovery, addiction treatment programs in penitentiary settings, and the deployment of analytical capabilities to have real-time statistical information. Also read: Tunnel with equipment for extracting hydrocarbons found in Nuevo León; connected a building to a Pemex pipeline. "They are establishing the integration of health data into a national system that allows the creation of predictive models regarding consumption patterns, changes in routes, risk groups, and the issuance of early warnings. As a final point, creating emergency protocols and universal access to antidotes to treat overdoses and subsequent treatment for the victim and their circle of people at risk," she said. Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco during the "Mañanera del Pueblo" at the National Palace on May 12, 2026. Photo: Luis Camacho/ EL UNIVERSAL. For his part, Roberto Velasco Álvarez, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), recalled that a few weeks ago, Sara Carter, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, met in Mexico with the entire Security Cabinet to discuss arms trafficking and the issue of drug addiction. In recent days, the United States announced that it will address the demand for psychotropic substances, especially chemical drugs. Additionally, coordination between the two countries, strengthening of capabilities, seizure of precursors, and reducing their production were agreed upon. As well as reducing the capacity of cartels to generate violence and to traffic illicit substances and weapons, confirming the diplomatic commitment and strengthening of capabilities with Mexico. The neighboring country explicitly recognized that interrupting the flow of weapons of U.S. origin to the crime that operates in Mexico is a critical element of this border control strategy. "All of this with respect for the four principles that we have already spoken about many times: shared and differentiated responsibility, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity, cooperation without subordination, and mutual respect and trust," the Foreign Minister stated at the National Palace. em/apr