The Ministry of Public Health, led by Vice President María José Pinto, announced on March 25 the launch of a national survey focused on drug use and mental health among students in Ecuador’s higher education system. The initiative was presented at an event in Quito organized with the Council of Higher Education, academic authorities, students, and international cooperation organizations.
The purpose of the survey is to gather reliable and updated information about substance use and mental health issues within the university population. Officials said this data will support evidence-based decision-making for public policies aimed at prevention and student well-being.
The nationwide survey is scheduled for implementation during the second quarter of 2026. It will employ a probabilistic methodology to ensure representative results across universities, technical institutes, and postgraduate programs. Coordination with higher education institutions aims to guarantee quality and reliability in data collection.
During the event, Jessica Jaramillo, Acting Undersecretary for Health Surveillance, Prevention and Control, said: “This space is a call to action to consolidate a solid inter-institutional response where Higher Education Institutions take an active role in creating safe environments for students. ‘Building the New Ecuador requires shared responsibility because our youth’s mental health cannot wait.’”
Fidel Márquez Sánchez, president of the Council of Higher Education (CES), said: “This survey will provide data to take actions based on scientific evidence and fight against drug or substance use that threatens our young people’s mental health. ‘This milestone proposes relevant public policies for higher education that trains competent and comprehensive professionals.’”
The instrument covers eight components including legal and illegal drug consumption patterns, risk perception, access to substances, participation in prevention activities as well as protective factors. It also includes an innovative component addressing potential mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
International organizations like CICAD/OAS (Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission) and COPOLAD from the European Union are providing technical support for this initiative.
Authorities say results from this survey will help educational institutions design preventive plans based on evidence with a goal toward building safe educational environments.
