Relationships Between Integration and Drug Use Among Deported Migrants in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract

Deported migrants face numerous challenges which may elevate their risk for drug use. We examined relationships between integration and drug use among deported migrants in Tijuana, Mexico. A cross-sectional survey conducted at a free health clinic included 255 deported Mexican-born migrants residing in Tijuana ≥6 months. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between variables across four integration domains (public participation, social connections, macro-level facilitators and foundations) and recent (past 6-month) drug use. The prevalence of recent drug use was 46 %. Having sought work in Tijuana in the past 6 months, greater household affluence, lifetime history of incarceration in both US and Mexico, and lacking health insurance were independently associated with recent drug use. Policies that support access to employment, adequate housing and healthcare in Mexico, particularly for justice-involved deportees, may facilitate successful integration and reduce potential stressors that may contribute to drug use.

Injection Drug Use Trajectories among Migrant Populations: A Narrative Review

“…While drug-related activity may result in deportation for some migrants, deportation itself appears to be critical in heightening injection-related risks, including initiation, and has been observed specifically among Mexican deportees from the U.S. who inject drugs (Robertson et al, 2012). Injection-naïve drug users who were deported to Tijuana reported a higher risk of initiating injecting as a result of greater hardships, including integration challenges, following deportation (Horyniak, Pinedo, Burgos, & Ojeda, 2016b; Ojeda et al, 2011). Further, among samples of PWID in Tijuana, deported migrants had a four times higher odds of being HIV-infected and reported lower rates of receiving medical care, HIV testing, and drug treatment (Brouwer et al, 2009; Strathdee & Magis-Rodriguez, 2008).…”

“…This is particularly problematic, given data demonstrating that migrants incarcerated in the U.S. were six times more likely to report initiating injecting and that they were also more likely to engage in interactions with PWID from other countries during incarceration (Robertson et al, 2012; Wagner et al, 2011). Therefore, while incarceration may increase the risk that people initiate injecting (Boys et al, 2002; Robertson et al, 2012; Wagner et al, 2011), the risk appears to be particularly acute among incarcerated migrant populations compared to migrants without a history of incarceration, according to studies in the region reporting increased odds for injection initiation ranging from 2.4 to 11.8 among incarcerated migrants (Horyniak et al, 2016b; Robertson et al, 2012; Wagner et al, 2011), and despite moves toward decriminalization of drug use on both sides of the U.S.–Mexico border.…”

Deported Men's and Father's Perspective: The Impacts of Family Separation on Children and Families in the U.S.

“…Finally, the framework proposes that the deportation process and event also affect the deportee's outcomes and the post-deportation circumstances of the deportee may have a reciprocal effect on the family and household remaining in the U.S. The well-being of migrants post-deportation has been examined in some diverse contexts (9,18,(57)(58)(59)(60)(61) though the longitudinal and reciprocal relationships with their U.S.-based families have not received attention. This framework should be tested in qualitative and quantitative studies with diverse national origin migrant communities to better understand the impacts of deportation and family separation.…”

Cross‐border migration and initiation of others into drug injecting in Tijuana, Mexico

“…People who are deported to Mexico are often not familiar with Mexican bureaucracy, which may present difficulties in meeting basic requirements for work and residence . Additionally, patterns of deportation from the USA have resulted in most people deported to the Mexican border cities having come originally from other parts of Mexico and therefore having little social support upon arrival . This combination of structural and social vulnerability has resulted in injection drug‐using deportees in Tijuana having a greater risk of HIV acquisition , and a higher prevalence of high‐dead space density syringe use (which has also been shown to increase the risk of HIV infection ) compared with their non‐deported counterparts.…”