Drugs

Homeless children recur to the use of drugs mainly to evade the situation they live in. Ironically this is a sort of self-protection measure used not only to escape from reality but also to stay awake at night and face whatever threats they might come across. The two types of drugs most frequently used are glue, placed in a bottle and inhaled by nose and mouth (as can be observed in the photograph) and crac, cocaine residue, which they smoke.

A more detailed explanation regarding the effect these drugs have on their small and malnourished bodies can be found under the health and hygiene section. These children live in a constant state of intoxication; the bottles with glue rarely separate from their mouth or nose and it is only when they find a safe place to hide for a few hours and catch some sleep, is that their beaten lungs rest from the constant attack of toluene intake, the toxic substance in the glue. Although in lesser amounts, however of quite common use, is the use of crac. More often than not the children consuming crac have been on the streets for quite some time; and approximately 30% of these minors consume this type of drug.

In San Salvador, the children are able to buy crac for a few Colones. Naturally, it goes without saying that for the price they pay for them, they receive drugs that have been mixed with all sorts of different substances and without a doubt, they are very toxic. Glue is easily available since it is the same material that shoemakers use. “Glue” is the drug used by poor people. Children pay approximately 5 colones for half a liter of glue, which they buy from the shoemakers and it takes them less than 18 hours to consume.

Malnutrition is an indirect effect of the use of these types of drugs. Once they become addicted, drugs become their first priority and with 5 colones on hand, none of these children will think twice to go and buy a bottle of glue before spending the money on a plate of food. In order to obtain some money to purchase drugs or glue, they will go and do all sorts of work, even prostitution. This completely violates all the established child protection rules.

There is not one homeless child that does not use or consume these types of drugs. Their physical and psychological dependency and easy access turns the minors into drug addicts, unleashing a series of new problems such as child exploitation, violence, and prostitution and in general decreasing their survival expectancies.