DRUG USE IN THE PROVINCE OF MANABÍ: A BIBLIOGRAPHIC REVIEW FROM GENDER AND CULTURE APPROACHES

Abstract

Drug use in the province of Manabí was addressed through a bibliographic review aimed at analyzing the cultural and gender representations that influence this issue. A systematic review of academic sources between 2019 and 2024 was carried out, including articles, theses, and institutional documents from specialized databases and Ecuadorian university repositories. The qualitative analysis identified normalized patterns of use among males and stigmatization of female users, showing a gender-differentiated approach. A mismatch between public policies and the cultural reality of the territory was also observed, particularly in rural and montubio communities. The results showed that male consumption is often naturalized as a sign of masculinity, while female consumption is repressed and hidden due to social pressure, limiting access to treatment. As a conclusion, the need to develop preventive strategies with an intersectional approach was proposed, considering territory, gender, and culture as key elements in designing inclusive public policies. This work offers a contextualized understanding of the phenomenon, highlighting the relevance of culture in the analysis of psychoactive substance use and opening future research lines from a participatory and territorial perspective.