Drug Offers Plague Ciudad Juárez Schools: A Deep Dive into a Troubling Reality
In Ciudad Juárez high schools, the offer of drugs within school grounds is not an isolated perception but a measured reality. A staggering 31.7 percent of students surveyed in a recent investigation reported being offered some type of drug within their school in the past 12 months. This means almost one in three adolescents surveyed has faced such an proposition.
These alarming figures stem from the investigation titled “Risk Factors for Adolescent Pregnancy in Ciudad Juárez High Schools,” conducted by Martha Dena Ornelas, Daniel Sierra Carpio, and Claudia Gómez García, and published in November 2024. The study, while primarily focused on adolescent pregnancy, also delved into substance use habits among high school students.
The Normalization of Consumption: Beyond Drug Offers
The study encompassed a sample of schools including Estatal 8347, Estatal 8332, Estatal 8334, Técnica 90, Técnica 56, Federal 9, Federal 21, Federal 2, Técnica 93, Federal 7, and Técnica 73, with some considering both morning and afternoon shifts.
The results paint a concerning picture of normalized consumption:
- Tobacco: 39% of the sample (304 students) admitted to consuming tobacco cigarettes.
- Vaping: 56% (433 students) were using vaping products at the time of the interview.
- Alcohol: More than 52% (402 students) had consumed alcohol at least once, with 66 students reporting their first consumption at eight years old or younger.
- Marijuana: Approximately 24% (183 students) indicated having consumed marijuana at some point. Of these, 54% (99 students) stated they started at 13 years old or older.
However, the most striking data point remains: 242 adolescents affirmed that they were offered drugs within the school premises.
“You’d enter the bathroom and smell it”
Jacinto, who recently completed high school in Ciudad Juárez, is unsurprised by these statistics. He recounts that vaping, often used for consuming marijuana extracts, was a common sight. “They used them in the bathrooms, and even if you didn’t always see the smoke, you’d enter and smell it,” he shared.
During high school, he knew peers who consumed cannabis and used electronic cigarettes. In prep school, the phenomenon became more frequent. “During recess, when I entered the bathroom, someone was using the devices, and the smell of drugs was evident,” he commented.
Jacinto’s testimony goes beyond consumption. He revealed that one of his classmates sold drugs inside the school, hiding them in a small box. Fear of retaliation kept others from reporting him. In another instance, two students were caught selling drugs in front of the principal’s office and were arrested.
It was also common for students to bring alcoholic beverages in their backpacks and consume them between classes. He even recalled a more severe incident where a student brought a firearm to school and threatened a teacher, leading to police intervention.
Channeling, Not Expelling: The Official Response
Maurilio Fuentes Estrada, head of the Undersecretariat of Education Zone North, acknowledged the reality of substance abuse among some basic education students. He assured that teachers and administrators are trained and committed to addressing and containing the problem.
By the middle of the current school year, approximately 30 primary and secondary students had been referred to Youth Integration Centers (CIJ) for substance use. Another 88 received psychological attention through the School Coexistence Program. In total, 118 adolescents received some form of intervention.
Marisa Cardona Gurrola, the program coordinator, explained that once a case is detected, parents are required to commit to follow-up to prevent the student’s expulsion. “The school is never denied to anyone detected with an addiction; what is requested is that the parent commit to the attention,” she emphasized.
For more severe cases involving harder drugs or sales within the school, students may be transferred, but only under the condition of undergoing a treatment process. Additionally, the Chihuahua School Guidance Group (Goechi), a unit of the State Investigation Agency, intervenes when repetitive use of vapes or wax is identified.
Cardona Gurrola noted an increase in vape and wax use by last December, leading to coordination with police canine units to detect these devices in schools. Fuentes Estrada highlighted the “All Together for Chihuahua Security Table,” involving over 30 government and civil society institutions, as a key initiative. “There isn’t a table like this in the entire country; we have made great progress in this area,” he asserted.
“It’s an Out-of-Control Problem”: Parents’ Perspective
For the Municipal Parents’ Association, the phenomenon is deeply concerning. Zaira Castillo, the organization’s president, admitted they lack their own diagnosis but are aware of the risks students face, especially in schools located in dangerous neighborhoods where alleged dealers approach to offer drugs.
The concern, she stated, extends beyond external factors to what occurs within schools. The most common issues they’ve encountered are vaping and wax use. Wax, a marijuana concentrate, can have THC levels ranging from 60% to over 90%, making it several times more potent than traditional marijuana. Both vapes and wax can be mistaken for pens or USB drives.
Castillo believes the problem is out of control, noting cases even in third grade of primary school. Despite this, the association receives no resources for preventive programs, operating on an honorary basis and relying on coordination with authorities.
They attempted to join the “All Together for Chihuahua Addiction and Violence Prevention Table” but have been denied entry, despite submitting a written request last year. In the meantime, the association focuses on nutrition, reforestation, and emotional health.
A Border and an Exposed Generation
Ciudad Juárez is a large border city, a fact acknowledged by both authorities and parents. The statistics reveal early alcohol consumption, normalized vaping, and drug offers within schools. Testimonies expose bathrooms as consumption spaces and discreet sales. Authorities speak of channeling and containment, while parents demand greater participation.
The undeniable reality is that within school premises, one in three students has been offered drugs. This data is now documented, demanding urgent and comprehensive action.
Our questions remain unanswered:
- What specific measures are being taken to address the 31.7% of students who have been offered drugs within schools?
- How will authorities ensure that the “All Together for Chihuahua Security Table” effectively includes and addresses the concerns of parent associations?
- What long-term strategies are in place to combat the normalization of vaping and wax use among students, especially given the high potency of these substances?
- Are there plans to increase resources and support for parent associations and other civil society organizations striving to implement preventive programs?
What’s next?
This investigation highlights a critical need for increased transparency, accountability, and collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to protect the youth of Ciudad Juárez from the pervasive threat of drug exposure in schools. Further scrutiny of existing policies and the implementation of more robust preventive measures are imperative.
If you have information regarding drug-related incidents or policies within Ciudad Juárez schools, please contact us at: 📧 [email protected] Your identity will be protected. We guarantee full anonymity.
