Today, Governor Marina del Pilar reaffirmed her commitment with having a state free of addiction, which is why she presented a series of strategies that guarantee the right to mental health for all Baja Californians.

During the 72nd edition of “Wednesday Morning Press Conference with Marina del Pilar” which took place in the city of Tijuana, the governor was joined by the National Commissioner of Addictions, Gady Zabicky Sirot, and the Managing Director of the National Commission Against Addictions, Evelinda Marrón, and stated that since the first day of her administration she has followed the route laid by the President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, through the National Strategy of Addiction Prevention “Juntos por la paz” (Together for Peace), taking into account that mental health is a priority in order to stop people from committing crimes and putting themselves at risk.

In addition, she highlighted the work carried out to transform Primary Care Addiction Centers (CAPA) into Mental Health and Addiction Community Centers, which is why there are four locations that are currently going through this process (CAPA Santorales in Mexicali, CAPA Valle Verde in Tijuana, CAPA Rosarito in Rosarito, and CAPA Vicente Guerrero in San Quintín), in order to strengthen comprehensive assistance to vulnerable groups that require it.

Marina del Pilar recalled that part of her campaign commitments was the Mental Health and Addiction Observatory so that they could have mental health and psychoactive substance consumption diagnosis.

Added to this, there’s also the online application of the Mental Health and Psychoactive Substance Consumption State Survey for adults, which began last year.

For his part, the Secretary of Health, José Adrián Medina Amarillas, stated that thanks to this confidential information that has been compiled they were able to implement mental health strategies, as some of the main ailments found were depression and anxiety. This has resulted in more than 70,000 mental health consultations related to conditions and substance consumption.

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In addition, to make mental health assistance reachable to all communities, ambulatory assistance units have been established in Tijuana, at Centro de Salud Villa del Prado and CAAPS San Felipe. There is also the additional inpatient assistance program which provides care to the people of Valle de Mexicali at Estación Coahuila and Ciudad Morelos.

Moreover, he pointed out the strengthening of mental health in schools, communities, and workspaces to prevent the consumption of psychoactive substances and detect risk factors in children and teenagers.

As such, Governor Marina del Pilar stated that one of her main initiatives is to promote psychological assistance in schools, rehabilitation centers, shelters, development centers, CERESOS, and the community at large.

Regarding this, assistance is provided to children and teenagers with the school prevention program, where risk factor questionnaires are applied regarding prevention, handling issues in time, and accompanying families with any difficulty that they may face.

This is also occurring at four Social Reintegration Centers, including the El Hongo complex where this addiction treatment permanent program is applied.

There are also 12 special medical units at primary care addiction centers.

“Let’s not forget the efforts of private enterprises, which we are working with and are under constant supervision so that these 255 specialized addiction treatment establishments in our state comply with all our laws regarding this matter,” he stated.

In addition, Marina del Pilar stated that one of her administration’s main actions is the orientation and psychological assistance 075 telephone line, handled by the Secretariat of Health. This line is used to help, through the Institute of Psychiatry in the State, people diagnosed with anxiety and depression, as well as victims of violence, people with suicide thoughts, and those who consume psychoactive substances.

It should be noted that, since it began operations, more than 1,300 calls have been responded through this service, which is completely free and is available 24/7.

With all of this, Marina del Pilar reiterated her commitment to help Baja Californians with their mental health and quality of life, which is why it is necessary for everyone to come together, so as to avoid health risks that could harm the quality life of our families.

“Addictions are not a minor issue and it is not a private issue. As the state, as a government, we need to develop great efforts to contain this addiction issue,” she stated.

This is why, she announced that she will continue to promote actions that create wellbeing opportunities, especially on mental health and prevention matters to keep children and young Baja Californians away from addictions.

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