LIMA, Peru – November 2017: The results of a drug use survey conducted among university students in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru in 2016 show a rise in the annual prevalence of LSD use in these countries. This development coincides with the emergence of NPS with hallucinogenic effects. For instance, in Chile, several NPS sold as “LSD” were seized by law enforcement authorities or identified in connection with emergency room admissions. Given the presence of hallucinogenic NPS in South America and the increased prevalence of LSD use, it is possible that a growing market for hallucinogens has opened up opportunities for traffickers to sell NPS with hallucinogenic effects.

Figure 1. Annual prevalence of LSD use among university students in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (average), 2009-2016

For more information, please see:

Drug use survey conducted in 2016 among university students in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru – “III Estudio epidemiológico andino sobre consumo de drogas en la población universitaria, Informe Regional, 2016” (in Spanish)
https://www.unodc.org/documents/colombia/2017/Octubre/Informe_Universitario_Regional.pdf

Chilean Ministry of the Interior and Public Security – “NSP y precursors” (in Spanish)
http://www.interior.gob.cl/

UNODC report - “2017 Global Synthetic Drugs Assessment”
https://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/Global_Drugs_Assessment_2017.pdf