A Growing Crisis: Fentanyl Hospitalizations on the Rise
Over the past 18 months, Mexico has seen a significant increase in fentanyl-related hospitalizations, averaging five cases per month, according to public data from the Ministry of Health (Ssa). Between June 2023 and December 2024, 92 hospitalizations were recorded across 15 states, signaling an alarming public health issue.
Fentanyl overdoses, often caused by self-inflicted use (40 cases), accidental exposure (18 cases), or undetermined causes (34 cases), have disproportionately impacted younger individuals. Nearly 46% of hospitalizations involve people aged 16 to 28 years old, with men making up 74 cases and women 18 cases.
Where Are Overdoses Happening? The Most Affected States
Data from the Dynamic Cubes platform, operated by the Ministry of Health, shows that the highest concentration of fentanyl hospitalizations has occurred in:
- Sinaloa (38 cases) – The state, home to the infamous cartel bearing its name, leads the country in hospitalizations. Cases were mainly recorded in Culiacán, Elota, Navolato, Eldorado, and Salvador Alvarado.
- Baja California (22 cases) – Overdose cases were primarily treated in Tijuana and Playas de Rosarito, key regions for cross-border drug trade.
- Quintana Roo (7 cases) – Mostly occurring in the latter half of 2024, treated at the Cancún General Hospital.
- Mexico City (5 cases), followed by Michoacán, Sonora, Jalisco, and Veracruz (3 cases each).
- Other states reporting cases include Chihuahua, Guerrero, Morelos, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tamaulipas (at least one case each).
While only five of the 92 patients succumbed to their overdoses, experts warn of significant underreporting, as paramedics, firefighters, and activists’ interventions are not documented in official data.
Is Mexico Underestimating the Fentanyl Epidemic?
Experts like Adriana Muro Polo, executive director of Elementa DDHH, argue that official statistics do not fully capture the extent of fentanyl use in Mexico. The lack of a national addiction survey further complicates efforts to assess the crisis.
“The data does not confirm an expansion of fentanyl use, but it does highlight hotspots. Sinaloa and Baja California are key areas of concentrated consumption,” Muro Polo states.
Despite growing evidence, Mexico has yet to implement national public health policies to address fentanyl addiction. Advocacy groups emphasize the urgent need for federal authorities to recognize the issue and develop treatment programs.
The Social Impact: Stigma and Criminalization
A recent report by Elementa DDHH, titled “Between the Streets and Use: Human Rights of People Who Use Drugs in Tijuana and Mexicali”, revealed a lack of public health initiatives to assist fentanyl users. Instead of offering harm reduction strategies, local governments have criminalized and marginalized users, particularly those experiencing homelessness.
The report highlights:
- Authorities focus on “social cleansing” instead of rehabilitation, forcibly removing drug users from public spaces without providing support services.
- Discrimination and lack of reintegration programs leave many users in a cycle of addiction and social exclusion.
“Baja California’s fentanyl crisis is heavily concentrated among the homeless population, yet they are treated as disposable people,” Muro Polo criticizes.
What Needs to Change? Urgent Policy Recommendations
Experts and human rights organizations stress the need for:
- National fentanyl addiction surveys to assess the crisis accurately.
- Harm reduction programs, including supervised consumption sites and access to naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose antidote.
- Decriminalization of drug use, shifting the focus from punishment to treatment and rehabilitation.
- Public education campaigns to raise awareness of fentanyl risks, particularly among young people.
Final Thoughts: A Crisis Mexico Can’t Ignore
While fentanyl overdose statistics remain relatively low compared to the U.S., the concentration of cases in border states like Baja California and Sonora suggests a growing and localized crisis. Without official recognition and proactive policies, Mexico risks allowing the fentanyl epidemic to expand uncontrollably.With rising hospitalization rates, the need for immediate government intervention is clear. The question remains: Will Mexico take action before it’s too late?
