Introduction to Maru Campos and Her Initiative
Maru Campos, the governor of Chihuahua, Mexico, has initiated a campaign titled “Fenta No! Porque tu vida vale más” to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl consumption among the general population. This strategic, multisectorial, and preventive approach consists of four key focus areas: Educational Environments, Open and Community Population, Public Security, and Social Communication.
Four Focus Areas of the Campaign
1. Educational Environments
The first focus area is to address educational environments by reaching 100% of primary and secondary schools with prevention programs and teacher training.
2. Open and Community Population
The second focus area targets the open and community population through targeted interventions in priority municipalities. These interventions include mass screenings, referral to treatment, epidemiological monitoring, and other actions.
3. Public Security
The third focus area is public security, which involves training at least 500 law enforcement officers in prevention and management of fentanyl overdoses. Additionally, the “Siempre presentes” program will be implemented in schools.
4. Social Communication
The fourth and final focus area is social communication, aiming to disseminate clear, accessible, and consistent messages that help raise awareness and prevent fentanyl consumption.
Governor Campos’ Commitment and Collaboration
Governor Campos emphasized her commitment to protecting communities, especially children and young people, from the fentanyl crisis. She highlighted that this is not merely a public health issue but a matter of human concern requiring empathy, prevention, and coordinated multisectoral strategies with a special focus on the most vulnerable.
To bolster the campaign, her government will sign a convenio with the United States to receive highly specialized equipment for detecting new substances or changes in drug compositions, enhancing the detection of circulating drugs in the state.
Supporting Roles
The Secretary of State Public Security, Gilberto Loya Chávez, stressed that fentanyl poses the greatest current threat. He emphasized that the campaign aims to inform Chihuahua residents before fentanyl consumption escalates into a crisis.
Lorenzo Arturo Parga Amado, the Undersecretary of Basic and Upper Secondary Education, explained that within the Educational Environments focus area, four actions will be implemented: integrating curricular content “Fentanilo: invisible risk,” organizing “Live Healthy” and “Health Days” events, promoting physical activity, and establishing mediation and peer tutoring clubs.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of Governor Maru Campos’ campaign? The primary objective is to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl consumption and protect communities, particularly children and young people, from the potential crisis.
- What are the four key focus areas of the campaign? The four focus areas are Educational Environments, Open and Community Population, Public Security, and Social Communication.
- How will the campaign address educational environments? The campaign aims to reach 100% of primary and secondary schools with prevention programs and teacher training.
- What measures will be taken to support the open and community population? Interventions include mass screenings, referral to treatment, epidemiological monitoring, and other actions in priority municipalities.
- How will public security be addressed in the campaign? At least 500 law enforcement officers will receive training in fentanyl prevention and overdose management, along with implementing the “Siempre presentes” program in schools.
- What role does social communication play in the campaign? Social communication aims to disseminate clear, accessible, and consistent messages that help raise awareness and prevent fentanyl consumption.
