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The survey shows that from 2020 to 2022, which are the Covid years, was when alcohol use was the highest peaking at 75% In 2022.

It trended down in 2023 and 2024, where researchers found it at 52%.

But post Covid, there has also been an increase in marijuana usage which 32% of respondents reported in 2024, compared to 12% in 2022.

Most alarming is the increase in crack cocaine usage among respondents. In the years before Covid, it was under 5% then in 2021 it zoomed up to 10% and in 2024 15% of respondents said they used crack.

With marijuana usage, the survey found that in the 7 years between 2017 and 2024 marijuana use among 15 to 19 year old males and females was by far the highest, with the second highest group being 10-14 year olds where mostly boys reported usage.

For crack cocaine, the age group with the highest usage was 25-29 year olds.

The survey found that alcohol usage was most prevalent in the north. Marijuana usage in Belize and Stann Creek and crack cocaine in the Belize and Stan Creek districts.

The surveys found that alcohol and marijuana remain the most used drugs in Belize among adolescents and that there is an increase of consumption of alcohol and marijuana among women.

Esner Vellos, Director NDACC
"One of the things that we at the National Drug Abuse Control Council see on a very regular basis is a lot of the younger population between the ages of 15 and 25 and indeed yes we have seen an increase in consumption among females and that is the reason why NDACC is putting a lot of emphasis in ensuring that we bring this issue into the forefront so that we can discuss it more."

"This data that is collected will drive us to be able to do more evidence programs. We will be able to highlight areas where we need to do more research and at the same time be able to comprehend what is the issue of substance misuse among these sectors."