Analysis of the public health approach to prevent drug use and its public policy in Costa Rica

Abstract

The conception of the drug phenomenon and policy management in Costa Rica is analyzed to facilitate the implementation of a public health and human rights approach. The analysis is based on neo-institutionalist theory and systemic governance. Methodologically, we followed the inductive principles of the qualitative approach through Grounded Theory. Twenty officials from the two governing entities in the country participated.
Important conceptual and operational weaknesses in management were found and some guidelines were proposed to improve the quality of governance from a Public Health perspective.