Until recently, 90% of adolescents treated by Proyecto Hombre Canarias presented problems related to cannabis use. However, the situation has evolved, and cocaine has significantly gained ground, now on par with hashish and marijuana in cases handled by the entity. In some contexts, crack consumption has even been detected.
“"We have gone from 90% of adolescents consuming cannabis to a scenario where we are talking about almost 50% cannabis and 50% cocaine."
These figures, extracted from the organization's 2025 report, reveal a pattern shift that causes great concern among professionals. Over the past year, Proyecto Hombre assisted 142 adolescents aged between 14 and 20, with an average age of 18. The profile of these young people has become more complex and hardened, with 87% being boys and 13% girls.
Although crack consumption among minors is still residual, its appearance is an alarming sign. The entity's management emphasizes that intervention for a young cannabis user differs considerably from that required for a minor consuming cocaine, necessitating an adaptation in treatment approaches.
Proyecto Hombre's concern is not limited solely to the type of substance but also to the context in which consumption occurs. A growing disconnection of adolescents from their family environments and greater exposure to settings where drug access is easier are observed. The organization urges families to monitor their children's use of money and to foster daily coexistence spaces, such as dinners or shared activities, to detect potential problems early.
This phenomenon is not exclusive to minors. Among adults treated by Proyecto Hombre Canarias, cocaine consumption remains predominant, often associated with polysubstance use. In 2025, 50% of adults in treatment consumed cocaine, 21% crack, and 16% alcohol, with many combining various substances, including benzodiazepines and prescribed hypnotics.
The entity assisted approximately 650 adults in 2025, of whom about 150 went through residential therapeutic communities in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Another growing challenge is the increase in women seeking help, which led to the implementation of the Moneiba program. Currently, 26 of the 200 active individuals in treatment are women, and 63% of them have experienced gender-based violence. Furthermore, dual pathology, combining addictions with simultaneous mental disorders, is a growing concern, affecting 21% of diagnosed users, although the actual percentage is estimated to be much higher.
