As the sun sets on Puerto Rico's beaches, a darker reality shadows the island: a devastating opioid crisis. In 2019, opioids played a role in 70% of the 71,000 overdose deaths across the U.S., according to the CDC. But for Puerto Rico—a key hub in a drug triangle linking the U.S., Venezuela, and Colombia—the stakes are even higher. An estimated 8.2% of residents have struggled with illicit drug use, including heroin and other lethal intravenous substances. 💉
Why here? Geography is destiny. Puerto Rico's location makes it a trafficking hotspot, but that's only part of the story. In a recent interview, a local doctor described overcrowded clinics and limited rehab resources. 🏥 A former police officer highlighted how traffickers exploit the island's infrastructure. 🚔 \"It's not just about stopping drugs,\" he said. \"It's about saving entire families.\"
