Statistical Data on Drugs in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico faces significant challenges with substance abuse, with an estimated 70,000 individuals struggling with addiction and approximately $3 million spent daily on illicit drugs. The island experiences high rates of drug use, treatment needs, and drug-related health and criminal issues.
Overdose and Mortality
Overdose Trends (2020-2022):
Substances involved in overdoses:
- Fentanyl + Other Substances: Decreased from 38.7% (2020) to 20.76% (2022)
- Unknown Substances: Increased from 35.5% (2020) to 53.02% (2022)
- Heroin: Declined from 21.8% (2020) to 17.1% (2022)
- Fentanyl alone: Increased from 4% (2020) to 7.2% (2022)
The data reveals a shifting drug landscape, with a decline in identifiable heroin use and a concerning rise in overdoses involving unknown substances, potentially indicating more complex or adulterated drug mixtures.
Fatality Statistics:
2021: 633 overdose deaths
Fatality rates:
- 2020: 6.4% (8 total fatalities)
- 2021: 4.9% (23 total fatalities)
- 2022: 4.6% (33 total fatalities)
Naloxone administration:
- 2020: 94.4% of patients received naloxone
- 2021: 94.5% of patients received naloxone
- 2022: 96.9% of patients received naloxone
Increasing overdose deaths, shifting drug composition, and improved emergency response through naloxone.
Opioid Overdose Data
| Parameter | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Substances in Overdoses | |||
| Fentanyl + Other Substances | 38.7% | 30.2% | 20.76% |
| Unknown Substances | 35.5% | 42.3% | 53.02% |
| Heroin | 21.8% | 20.7% | 17.1% |
| Fentanyl Alone | 4% | 4.2% | 7.2% |
| Prescription Opioids | 0% | 2.5% | 2% |
| Naloxone Administration | |||
| Patients Not Receiving Naloxone | 5.6% | 5.5% | 3.1% |
| Intranasal Administration | 92.7% | 91.8% | 76% |
| Intramuscular/Intravenous Admin. | 0.8% | 1.9% | 20.6% |
| Naloxone Administrators | |||
| Medical Emergency Personnel | 33.9% | 42.5% | 63.8% |
| Friends | 20.2% | 21.4% | 20.1% |
| Family Members | <2% | <2% | <2% |
| Naloxone Doses per Patient | |||
| 1 Dose | 27.7% | 33.1% | 60.2% |
| 2 Doses | 62.2% | 60.5% | 34.1% |
| 3+ Doses | 3.3% | 2.9% | 3.7% |
| Fatality Statistics | |||
| Total Fatalities | 8 (6.4%) | 23 (4.9%) | 33 (4.6%) |
| Fatalities Without Naloxone | 1 (12.5%) | 16 (69%) | 15 (45%) |
A shifting drug landscape emerges, with increasing unknown substances, declining heroin use, and rising fentanyl presence. Naloxone administration improves, but overdose fatalities continue to climb, highlighting the ongoing opioid crisis.
Substance Abuse Prevalence
Population Drug Use Rates:
- 8.2% of the population has a history of illicit drug use
- 1.2% qualify for a lifetime diagnosis of drug abuse or dependence
Drug Use Rates by Gender:
- 18.4% of male drug users meet criteria for drug abuse/dependence
- 7.7% of female drug users meet criteria for drug abuse/dependence
The data highlights a significant gender disparity in drug use, with males more than twice as likely to meet drug abuse criteria compared to females. The overall drug use rate of 8.2% indicates a substantial substance abuse challenge in the population.
Drug Use by Hispanic Subgroups:
Puerto Ricans have the highest rate of:
- Recent illicit drug use (6.9%)
- Recent marijuana use (5.6%)
Puerto Ricans stand out among Hispanic subgroups with the highest rates of both illicit drug and marijuana use, indicating a more pronounced substance abuse challenge within this community.
Substance Use Disorders (Adults 18-64)
- 11.5% met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder in the past 12 months
- 2.5% need substance use services (57,301 adults)
The high percentage of substance use disorders (11.5%) suggests a widespread issue, with alcohol-related disorders being particularly prevalent. The fact that only 2.5% receive needed services indicates a significant treatment gap.
Most Commonly Abused Substances
Heroin
- 43.5% of Puerto Rican addiction treatment admissions (vs. 13.2% for other Hispanics)
- 23% of males and 20% of females cited heroin as primary drug of choice (2000-2001)
Heroin use is dramatically higher among Puerto Ricans compared to other Hispanic populations, suggesting unique cultural or socioeconomic factors driving substance abuse patterns.
Treatment Facilities and Infrastructure
Treatment Facilities (2013):
15,169 clients in treatment on March 29, 2013
Facility breakdown:
- 67.7% Private non-profit
- 16.8% State government
- 14.3% Private for-profit
Treatment Types:
- Outpatient services: 79.9% of clients (12,119 total) (49.5% on methadone/buprenorphine maintenance)
- Residential services: 16.6% of clients (2,511 total)
- Hospital inpatient: 3.6% of clients (539 total)
The treatment infrastructure is predominantly non-profit, with a significant state government presence. However, the number of facilities seems limited relative to the population’s needs.
Treatment Access:
67.4% of adults needing substance services did not receive treatment
Top barriers to seeking treatment:
- 78.9% believed the problem would resolve itself
- 72.4% wanted to handle problems independently
- 71.7% believed treatment would not work
The extremely high rate of untreated substance use disorders points to deep-rooted cultural barriers. Stigma and self-reliance appear to prevent many individuals from seeking professional help.
Drug-Related Crime and Economic Impact
Criminal Justice Statistics:
63% of 744 murders in 2001 were drug-related
2010 Law Enforcement Actions:
- September: 89 law enforcement officers and 44 others arrested for cocaine trafficking
- May: 39 people arrested for multiple drug trafficking offenses
Economic Burden:
- Estimated $3 million spent daily on illicit drugs
- Cost to Puerto Rican and U.S. governments: Over $600 million annually
- 687 sentenced drug trafficking offenders
Substantial economic and social costs of drug abuse, with significant involvement of law enforcement in drug-related crimes.
Drug Seizures and Trafficking
| Category | Drug Type | Quantity (Kilograms) | Year | Additional Context |
| Drug Seizures in Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA Region | Powder Cocaine | 17,113.35 | 2008 | Largest seizure volume |
| Crack Cocaine | 4.52 | 2008 | Minimal compared to powder cocaine | |
| Marijuana | 24,702.72 | 2008 | The second most seized drug | |
| Heroin | 78.98 | 2008 | Smallest volume among tracked drugs | |
| Trafficking Enforcement Actions | Law Enforcement Officers Arrested | 89 | September 2010 | Cocaine trafficking case |
| Civilians Arrested | 44 | September 2010 | Cocaine trafficking case | |
| Total Arrests in May | 39 | May 2010 | Multiple drug trafficking offenses | |
| Trafficked Drugs in May 2010 Arrest | Heroin | Included | 2010 | Part of multi-drug trafficking operation |
| Crack | Included | 2010 | Part of multi-drug trafficking operation | |
| Cocaine | Included | 2010 | Part of multi-drug trafficking operation | |
| Marijuana | Included | 2010 | Part of multi-drug trafficking operation | |
| Prescription Opioids | Included | 2010 | Part of multi-drug trafficking operation | |
| Federal Sentencing | Heroin-Related Sentences | 17.9% | Various | Proportion of federal drug sentences |
| Crime Statistics | Drug-Related Murders | 63% of 744 | 2001 | Murders linked to drug activity |
| Sentenced Offenders | Drug Trafficking Offenders | 687 | Various | Total sentenced offenders |
Marijuana and cocaine lead to seizures, with extensive law enforcement actions. The high correlation between drug trafficking and violent crime (63% of murders) underscores the profound social impact of substance abuse.
Additional Health Indicators
HIV and Hepatitis Correlation:
- 15,801 people living with diagnosed HIV (2021)
- 2 syringe exchange programs operating (2024)
- 32 facilities providing Medication-Assisted Treatment (2023)
Complex intersections between substance abuse and public health challenges.
The data reveals a complex landscape of substance abuse in Puerto Rico, characterized by high drug use rates, significant treatment gaps, and ongoing challenges with opioid addiction and drug-related crime. The trends suggest a shift from heroin to fentanyl and an increasing proportion of unknown substances in overdose cases.
Statistical Data on Alcohol in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico faces significant challenges with alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders (AUD), characterized by high prevalence rates, substantial economic impact, and complex social implications.
Alcohol-Related Mortality
| Year | Cause | Mortality Rate (per 100,000) |
| 2004 | Chronic Liver Disease and Cirrhosis | 2.6 |
| 2012 | Alcohol-Induced Causes | 5.6 (Puerto Rico) |
| 2012 | Alcohol-Induced Causes | 8.0 (U.S. Overall) |
Alcohol-induced mortality is lower in Puerto Rico compared to the national average, but still represents a significant public health concern.
Key Alcohol Consumption Statistics
Per Capita Alcohol Consumption
| Period | Recorded Consumption | Unrecorded Consumption | Total Consumption |
| 2003-2005 (Average) | 5.4 liters | 0.3 liters | 5.7 liters |
| 2008-2010 (Average) | 4.9 liters | 0.5 liters | 5.4 liters |
| Trend | Decreasing | Increasing | Slight Decrease |
Recorded alcohol consumption slightly decreased, while unrecorded consumption increased. The total per capita consumption marginally declined from 5.7 to 5.4 liters.
Alcohol Use Disorders by Gender and Family Cohesion (2014)
Men
| Family Cohesion | Total Sample | Binge Drinking |
| Low (154) | 37% | 20% |
| Medium (211) | 23% | 19% |
| High (300) | 21% | 7% |
| Overall (665) | 26% | 14% |
Women
| Family Cohesion | Total Sample | Binge Drinking |
| Low (182) | 22% | 13% |
| Medium (252) | 15% | 6% |
| High (354) | 15% | 4% |
| Overall (788) | 17% | 7% |
Men show higher rates of binge drinking and alcohol use disorders across all family cohesion levels. Interestingly, lower family cohesion correlates with higher alcohol misuse.
Lifetime AUD Prevalence
| Gender | Lifetime DSM-5 AUD | Mild AUD |
| Men | 38% | 18% |
| Women | 16% | 9% |
Significant gender disparity in alcohol use disorders, with men experiencing nearly 2.4 times higher lifetime AUD rates than women.
Economic Impact of Alcohol Market (2025 Projections)
| Market Segment | Revenue |
| At-home Sales | $934.8 million |
| Out-of-home Sales | $788.8 million |
| Total Market | $1.7 billion |
| At-home Sales Annual Growth | 2.05% |
The alcohol market in Puerto Rico is substantial, with significant revenue from both home and commercial consumption.
Additional Alcohol Use Characteristics
Binge Drinking Prevalence:
- Nearly 50% of drinking adults of Puerto Rican ancestry binge drink weekly
- 51.1% of Puerto Rican women in the U.S. engage in binge drinking (highest among Hispanic groups)
Most Common AUD Criteria (Across Genders):
- Drinking larger quantities and longer than planned (80-97% of men, 78-91% of women)
- Hazardous use (56-91% of men, 42-74% of women)
Binge drinking is prevalent, with Puerto Ricans showing higher rates compared to other Hispanic groups.
Puerto Rico’s alcohol use landscape presents a complex public health challenge, marked by high disorder rates, significant gender disparities, and substantial economic impact. The prevalence of binge drinking and alcohol use disorders, particularly among men, highlights the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions that address the intricate social and individual factors driving alcohol misuse in Puerto Rican communities.
In general, Puerto Rico confronts a multifaceted substance abuse crisis characterized by high drug and alcohol use rates, significant gender disparities, and substantial economic and social impacts. The data reveals critical challenges: an estimated 70,000 individuals struggling with addiction, $3 million daily spent on illicit drugs, and complex substance use patterns involving shifting drug compositions, particularly the rise of fentanyl and unknown substances. With low treatment access, high binge drinking rates, and extensive drug-related criminal activity, the island urgently needs comprehensive, culturally sensitive interventions addressing the underlying social and individual factors driving substance abuse across different demographic groups.
Sources:
- Puerto Rico Drug Abuse Statistics | Recovery Connection
- Puerto Rico Drug Addiction
- Substance Abuse Statistics for Hispanic Americans
- Opioid Use and Overdose Patterns in Puerto Rico in 2020-2022: A Retrospective Descriptive Study
- Drug abuse and illicit drug use in Puerto Rico. | AJPH | Vol. 83 Issue 2
- Puerto Rico Funding Priorities | Injury Center | CDC
- 2013 State Profile – Puerto Rico National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS)
- Puerto Rico’s Drug Problem | Banyan Treatment Center
- Need Assessment Study of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders and Service Utilization among Adult Population of Puerto Rico
- Drug Threat Overview – Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis 2009
- Puerto Rico Opioid Epidemic
- Drug Trafficking by the Numbers
- Family Cohesion and Pride: Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorders in Puerto Rico – PMC
- Alcoholic Drinks – Puerto Rico | Statista Market Forecast
- The Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorders in Puerto Rico is High | Newswise
- Puerto Rico
- Latino Americans And Alcohol