In a country accustomed to low levels of drug addiction, the consumption of this highly addictive drug, cheaper and more potent than marijuana, has spread in recent years in the capital and even to the provinces. Just three months ago, 21-year-old Josué Angel Espinosa was completely addicted. "I couldn't eat a meal without consuming it."He had to smoke up to 15 cigarettes soaked in "quimico" (chemical, in French) to be able to fall asleep, he told AFP.
He is one of five Cubans undergoing detoxification at a drug rehabilitation center founded a year ago by 36-year-old evangelical pastor Rotyam Castro on the outskirts of the capital. There are no official statistics on the number of users, but the preacher estimates that "The situation has become uncontrollable." "I met young people (drug addicts) in the street, in the shady underworld.", but also "Artists, musicians, professionals" addicted to this drug, he lists.
This drug is a cocktail made from psychotropic medications.
For him, the recent surge in the use of this synthetic drug among young people is explained as much by the deep economic crisis gripping the communist island of 9.7 million inhabitants as by its addictive nature and low cost. A dose can cost 100 pesos (about 25 US cents), three times less than the cheapest pack of cigarettes sold on the island.
This drug is a cocktail made from "carbamazepine, benzodiazepine, phenobarbital" which are psychotropic drugs, "Animal anesthetics and even formaldehyde and fentanyl""Clandestine preparers of this drug dilute it and use a spray to impregnate aromatic herbs and a small piece of paper, which are then used to make a joint," explained Héctor Ernesto Gonzalez, a military expert in the fight against drugs at the Ministry of the Interior, speaking on Cuban television. "Hector Ernesto Gonzalez, a military expert in the fight against drugs at the Ministry of the Interior, explained to Cuban television. Hence the names 'quimico' or 'papelito' (piece of paper) given to this drug."
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"I consumed a lot." "This drug," says Gabriel Chéscoles, a 30-year-old plumber, who arrived at the rehabilitation center. "destroyed" Long hair, unshaven, and smelly. Now more at ease, he describes with gestures how the "quimico" is rolled in cigarette paper and how the "papelito" also impregnated with addictive substances, is placed at its tip to accentuate the inhalation of the drug.
The effect of a dose is "between 50 and 100 times greater than that of THC"
The effect of a dose is "between 50 and 100 times higher than that of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)", The main psychoactive component of cannabis, according to the military expert. In videos that regularly circulate on social media, young Cubans are seen wandering the streets, disoriented, talking to themselves, with vacant stares. Some collapse or convulse after an overdose.
Symptoms range from euphoria and drowsiness to nausea, seizures, tachycardia, hypertension, and even serious arrhythmias and a lack of coordination, Elizabeth Céspedes, director of the Adolescent Detoxification Center at the Ministry of Health, explained to the official press. "Hence the contracted postures due to muscle rigidity and the zombie-like gait," the specialist explained.
Cook Luis Yankiel Zambrano, 33, was " slave " had been using drugs for ten years when his family sought help from the rehabilitation center. "Lately, I've been crying and telling my mother that I couldn't go on like this anymore," he explains.
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The authorities have toughened sanctions against traffickers.
Faced with this alarming situation, the authorities have toughened sanctions against traffickers and launched a prevention campaign in December in neighborhoods considered to be at risk.
AFP has asked the authorities for access to a “barriodebate”A neighborhood activity aimed at preventing the phenomenon, but which has not received authorization. In the free drop-in center, the detoxification process takes place without medication, through psalms and prayers, behavioral classes, and group work.
After three months, Josué Angel Espinosa and Luis Yankiel Zambrano dream of opening their own business to support themselves and the center that helped them overcome their drug addiction. Gabriel Chéscoles acknowledges that he is not yet ready, but is pleased with the progress made. "My mother has changed her attitude, my father supports me. I have regained everyone's trust and affection."
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