The chemical devouring Cuban youth: a drug cheaper than food, broken families, and a rescue house counting the days

Addiction specialists warn of a two-hundred percent increase in the use of cheap substances among Caribbean youth, who turn to dangerous mixtures to escape the difficult local economic crisis. (Courtesy image) Cuba is experiencing an increase in the consumption of synthetic drugs among adolescents and young people, a phenomenon associated with cheap substances of uncertain composition, in a country marked by economic crisis, family emigration, and lack of prospects. The situation has led people in rehabilitation to count the days without consuming, according to Diario de Cuba. Post-pandemic consumption grew 200% compared to the pre-pandemic period, toxicologist Alejandro Mestre Barroso said in June. The group with the highest incidence is made up of people aged 14 to 25. During 2024, the National Toxicology Center registered 600 cases linked to drugs, and more than 90% corresponded to synthetic substances. Mestre Barroso warned that these records only show part of the real dimension of the problem. Social media has spread scenes of young people disoriented, unconscious, or unable to stand. Many of these situations are associated with the so-called químico or papelito, a synthetic drug whose composition can change depending on who produces or distributes it. A dose could cost between 150 and 200 Cuban pesos at the time the video was recorded, less than some basic foods. Its low price and easy access add to peer pressure, family conflicts, anxiety, and the search for escape as factors mentioned by specialists and affected individuals. For years, the debate on drugs in Cuba centered on marijuana, cocaine, or certain medications. Current concern focuses on synthetic compounds that may contain cannabinoid derivatives, substances related to marijuana, hashish, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient of those plants. This religious refuge in the capital provides free food, clothing, and medications to people dependent on the papelito, an independent community space that seeks to make up for the lack of state infrastructure for comprehensive rehabilitation. (Illustrative image Infobae) The physician specializing in addictions Emilio Arteaga explained that illegal, uncontrolled production allows the components to vary even between distributors. In addition to cannabinoids, these mixtures can include glues, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and psychotropic drugs such as clonazepam, diazepam, or antipsychotic medications. The uncertainty about what each dose contains aggravates the risks for those who consume it. A person can buy a substance without knowing precisely what compounds they will ingest or what effects the combination will have. The spread of these drugs is occurring amid prolonged blackouts, difficulties obtaining food, families separated by emigration, and scarce professional prospects for many young people. These conditions are part of the environment pointed out around addictions. In Havana, a rescue house with a Christian orientation receives men with consumption and behavioral problems. The center offers medications, food, hygiene products, clothing, footwear, and spiritual accompaniment without charging for the assistance. A dose of the drug known as químico or papelito cost between 150 and 200 Cuban pesos. (Courtesy image) The director of the space defined its objective this way: "The rescue house is simply a Christian ministry focused on helping and rehabilitating people with addiction problems and people with behavioral problems." Since its opening, the place has received adolescents and young people with consumption of alcohol, piedra, químico, papelito, marijuana, and other substances. However, the químico became the main reason for arrival at the Transformando Vidas program. Two years after the opening, between 90% and 95% of the young people who arrive at the center present addiction to the químico or the papelito, according to the statistics cited by its director. In the last month, the papelito began to circulate also in a colored plastic support. The rehabilitation process requires resources to sustain each resident for at least three months. "An addict needs medications, needs food, needs hygiene, because he comes from the street," said the person in charge of the space, who maintained that the country does not have the necessary infrastructure to attend to this work sufficiently. The center's proposal is that the authorities grant more space and freedoms of operation to rehabilitation initiatives of this type. The director considered that these projects, financed by their own promoters, could expand their reach if they received state support. A Christian ministry maintains a rescue house in Havana for the free rehabilitation of people with addictions. (Illustrative image Infobae) The official response combines prevention, mental health care, and prosecution of trafficking. There are detoxification centers, preventive actions in schools and communities, and since 2025 a national drug observatory has been operating. State policy maintains the principle of zero tolerance and includes raids, detentions, territorial operations, exemplary trials, and severe sentences for drug-related crimes. Meanwhile, some people who entered recovery programs are counting 22, 30, 40, or 48 days without consuming.