In less than a month two teenagers died from inhaling glue. Now the boys also use braces to suck. The faces of the flagellum.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The aroma of Bolognese sauce noodles announced that almost were and diners began to settle quickly into their seats. Neatly placed in rows, white ceramic plates received identical portions of pasta, while the table is cluttered, waiting for friends to gather. Tango, the dog house does not want to miss the feast, and joined the lunch.
The rite is respected to the letter every day, like a family of them, all male, seeking a second chance. Many have already found it. Are the patients in ground wire, the only inpatient facility for people affected by drugs that is in Mendoza, and is a nongovernmental organization (NGO).
has twelve beds and are for men because they lack sufficient infrastructure for women. The institution, including hospitalization and outpatient treatment, has about a hundred cases a month and there is a marked increase in demand.
in Mendoza, and after two teenagers died so far this month for using inhalants (one last week), the topic turned to show addictions absence of political will to respond to local demand. In the country the situation is very similar, in the whole country there is no inpatient facility to treat addiction in children under 14 years.
Statistics, arguments and lack of budget does not explain the death of a 16 years, the last week in the neighborhood of Las Margaritas lujanino (Mayor Drummond), after sniffing glue. Neither the death of another 15 year old boy who died on March 3, in the district May 25 (Rodeo de la Cruz), for the same reason.
The province, according to data released in the week the Provincial Addictions Program, receives 700 visits per month in only seven medical centers there, none of these has hospital. About 14 percent of the demand is for the use of inhalants. This is the first drug to young people entering with an average age of 12 years and level of consumption is located after alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and psychotropic drugs.
This type of drug is present in various commercial products and the hand of the boys more vulnerable economic condition as the main feature of inhalants is that they take away hunger and cold.
"There are neighborhoods such as La Favorita, when it rains and the drains are clogged you see the bags float pulling the boys after inhaling. Indeed, in many hardware stores sell to teens loose glue by tablespoons and directly put it in the bag, "he said Nilda Astorga, a psychiatrist and president of Ground Wire.
This occurs in neighborhoods Mendoza despite the existence of Law No. 7730, which "prohibits the territory of the province of Mendoza marketing, distribution and delivery of glues and adhesives containing toluene and / or their derivatives.
The rule was enacted on July 4, 2009 and promulgated automatically (over time) and published in the Official Gazette on 19 November of that year.
One again, the correction
Inhalants they access the kids are in: adhesives, glues, paints, varnishes, lacquers, stain removers, nail polish remover, gasoline, anesthetics, solvents and paint polish, deodorants, aerosol sprays, cleaning products dry dye shoes and now also in the correction used in the school.
"We have seen in recent times that kids inhale the products that bring the correction, as they also have a volatile substance," specified Laura Alcaraz, psychologist of the first Centre for Addiction Preventive Care (CPAA) was created in Mendoza covering the area of \u200b\u200bMaipú, Luján de Cuyo Godoy Cruz. The professional said that in general, are men who are closest to all types of inhalants, "but the girls are fast catching up."
For people who routinely work with addicts, the progress of inhalants is very worrying. Diana Calderon is psychologist Ground Cable and was blunt: "Those who consume the most inhalants are poor because they get a weight and must come clean, these products remove hunger and cold. They also cause nervous system impairment and significant dehydration, a cadre that can lead to death. "
This situation is replicated across the country to the progress of poverty, lack of social policies, lack of education and the significant increase in government handouts. Claudio Izaguirre, exadicto and Drug Association President of Argentina, said that in Capital and Rosario is fashionable kit for bicycles. "
"This is a group of products sold to children by two dollars, which in theory is to fix the bikes, and in which there is a knob with toluene using to get high," he said. Izaguirre
brought to mind an interesting comparison: Argentina spends 1,300 million pesos per year to combat drug trafficking; 84 million pesos per year for assistance and addiction prevention and in the last period 600 million pesos for "football for all."
"I think this marks a trend. In the last six years has not opened any inpatient facility for addicts. Moreover, there are none for children under 14 years," he said Izaguirre. Exiting
In this context it is quite difficult to find a treatment center for addictions, especially if hospitalization is necessary. In this adverse situation are all the fears and prejudices of the conditions.
Mauricio (29) cost him help, but only when he managed to do so began to improve. From January 18 is admitted to polydrug Earth Cable to age 14. "More than half of my life I've used drugs. I came here to end this. At first you are afraid, but you realize that without help can not get out," recounted the young, as they came the noodles with sauce Bolognese to the table.
In the rest of the group company, Mauritius was reunited with his routine. Up early again, to have activities at home and be responsible for these and, above all, he read. "Here we are directed, we have art workshops, film information and tackle issues such as tolerance and fellowship. I liked to meet again, for example, reading ", he added.
The ten men who are currently placed in this charity spend all day together and during the first month of hospitalization do not receive visitors. Along with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and operators address a comprehensive treatment. "Today I had to cook, there are noodles with sauce. We split into two groups and we started with the tasks at 7, "said Aldo (46), is now the largest patient remains hospitalized at the institution.
The average age of people who come to the hospital is 25 years. "The hospital can realize from the age of 14, not before, and only for men boarded the problem in women, but only outpatient treatment, "said the president of Ground Wire.
Patients who remain in the institution come from eating various types of drugs such as inhalants, cocaine, marijuana, etc. They spend a selective admission . It works with the family and even the state refer patients to be treated, since it has no inpatient facility. "They live on the edge, we are a cooperative and receive payment of social work," said Astorga .
But the effort is worth it, say patients and professionals, because many people will be high. As Javier (26) which returns next week to work after four months of intensive treatment. "I return to my home to work on Monday, I am meat cutter. The most interesting thing for me has been wanting me to understand that I can love others, you have to be tolerant and learn from the experience" was happy and almost ready to "get back on track." Now, the noodles are ready and there is a reason to celebrate
