A Qualitative View of Drug Use Behaviors of Mexican Male Injection Drug Users Deported from the United States

Abstract

Deportees are a hidden yet highly vulnerable and numerous population. Significantly, little data exists about the substance use and deportation experiences of Mexicans deported from the United States. This pilot qualitative study describes illicit drug use behaviors among 24 Mexico-born male injection drug users (IDUs), ≥18 years old, residing in Tijuana, Mexico who self-identified as deportees from the United States. In-person interviews were conducted in Tijuana, Mexico in 2008. Content analysis of interview transcripts identified major themes in participants’ experiences. Few participants had personal or family exposures to illicit drugs prior to their first U.S. migration. Participants reported numerous deportations. Social (i.e., friends/family, post-migration stressors) and environmental factors (e.g., drug availability) were perceived to contribute to substance use initiation in the U.S. Drugs consumed in the United States included marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and crack. More than half of men were IDUs prior to deportation. Addiction and justice system experiences reportedly contributed to deportation. After deportation, several men injected new drugs, primarily heroin or methamphetamine, or a combination of both drugs. Many men perceived an increase in their substance use after deportation and reported shame and loss of familial social and economic support. Early intervention is needed to stem illicit drug use in Mexican migrant youths. Binational cooperation around migrant health issues is warranted. Migrant-oriented programs may expand components that address mental health and drug use behaviors in an effort to reduce transmission of blood-borne infections. Special considerations are merited for substance users in correctional systems in the United States and Mexico, as well as substance users in United States immigration detention centers. The health status and health behaviors of deportees are likely to impact receiving Mexican communities. Programs that address health, social, and economic issues may aid deportees in resettling in Mexico.

Common Mental Disorders at the Time of Deportation: A Survey at the Mexico–United States Border

“…Latin American migrants sent back from the US might face the stigma of being considered criminals, as people believe criminal activities to be the main cause of deportation [3,4]. Deportees who are repatriated by land through the Mexico-US border generally lack support networks in the Mexican border cities they arrive to, and they can face discrimination, human rights violations, and victimization by organized crime [3,13,14]. Given the above, deportation would be an extremely stressful experience, with foreseeable consequences on mental health.…”

“…Given the above, deportation would be an extremely stressful experience, with foreseeable consequences on mental health. Research conducted with Latin American migrants deported from the US has reported an increase in drug use, as a result of forced displacement and lack of social networks [13,15,16], and fear of deportation has been shown to be associated with depressive symptoms [17], but studies of this population are still scarce, and the generalizability of results is limited by the use of convenience samples and non-standardized instruments.…”

U.S. Drug Use and Migration Experiences of Mexican Female Sex Workers who are Injection Drug Users

“…We found that nearly one-half of U.S. migrant FSW-IDUs were ever deported from the U.S., demonstrating that U.S. re-entry by deportees as documented by Weeks et al, 67 is also prevalent among Mexican FSW-IDUs. Deportation often imposes significant emotional and economic tolls on migrants and their families due to separation from loved ones in the U.S. 68,69 Separation from family residing in the U.S. was also reported by U.S.-migrant FSW-IDUs, which may motivate women's return to the U.S. (circular migration). Several studies of migrant Latinos have linked circular migration to HIV transmission in receiving communities.…”

“…69,75 Timely use of HIV testing services by binational migrants may be critical to containing HIV transmission in the U.S. and Mexico, 76 and is recommended among high-risk populations, including substance users. 54,71 The U.S.…”

“…Beginning in the Fall, 2010, Mexican migrants in the U.S. could register themselves and their families residing in Mexico for Seguro Popular . 78,79 However, migrants returning from the U.S. may be unable to meet the enrollment criteria (e.g., proof of residence, access to an official government identification), 69,80 further discouraging them from accessing this program and health care in Mexico. Identifying mechanisms to finance the health insurance coverage of Mexican migrants in the U.S. constitutes an important public health priority given that they are expected to account for a large proportion of the uninsured.…”