Intervención del trabajador social en la prevención del consumo de drogas en la comuna Isla Jambelí del cantón Santa Rosa, 2024

Abstract

This study addresses the problem of drug use in the commune of Isla Jambelí, located in the canton of Santa Rosa, province of El Oro. This situation primarily affects adolescents and young adults, becoming a growing concern in the community due to its impact on the personal, family, and social lives of those who experience it. Factors such as family disintegration, social pressure, unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, and, above all, lack of awareness of the risks of drug use contribute to the vulnerability of this population group. Given this reality, the main objective of the study was to analyze the intervention of social workers in the prevention of drug use in this context, in order to design an intervention proposal that would contribute to strengthening protective factors in the community. The methodology used was descriptive with a mixed approach, administering surveys to 20 families in the community, along with an observation guide to complement community information. The diagnostic process was structured in three phases: planning, execution, and results analysis. The information obtained allowed for the construction of a detailed situational diagnosis of the impact and perception of drug use in the community. Among the main results, it was found that 100% of respondents recognized that drug use is a problem in their environment, and all reported knowing at least one person affected by this situation. The most frequently cited causes included the influence of friends, family problems, and a lack of employment and educational opportunities. It was also evident that 85% of respondents had not received information or preventive guidance on the issue, confirming the absence of institutional programs that address this problem from a preventive perspective. Based on the evaluation results, a Social Work intervention proposal was designed with a preventive focus, theoretically grounded in General Systems Theory and Juan Viscarret's intervention models. The proposal consisted of two main actions: the dissemination of informational posters in strategic areas of the community and the creation of an educational digital blog with content related to drug use prevention. The implementation of the proposal generated a positive response from the community, with increased interest among youth and families in accessing clear and reliable information on the topic. Posters were posted in schools, stores, sports fields, and other points of contact, while the blog was disseminated through social media and community groups, achieving strong acceptance and inquiries from users. In conclusion, it was determined that social work interventions using accessible and contextualized educational strategies have a positive impact on drug use prevention. Furthermore, the importance of promoting ongoing counseling and community engagement to address these types of problems sustainably is highlighted. This work contributes to the generation of viable proposals that can be replicated in other similar contexts, strengthening the role of the social worker as an agent of social transformation.