On October 3, 2024, the exhibition “Bodegón del Vicio” by Mexican artist María Portilla opened at LAGUNA, an event that combined art and reflection on drug policies. The exhibition served as the perfect setting for a panel discussion on the consumption of psychoactive substances and related policies. This space, a former textile factory in the Colonia Doctores, has transformed into a hub for creative collaboration and hosted a socially relevant debate.
A Disruptive Conversation
Moderated by curator Cristina Pérez, the panel featured contributions from Mateo Rivera, a researcher on addiction and vulnerable populations; Fredy Cabrera, member of the magazine and association Mi Valedor; Guadalupe Licea, psychologist from the Institute for the Care and Prevention of Addictions (IAPA); Joel Anaya, an expert on drug trafficking and drug markets; and Oscar Espin, a mental health researcher and member of the expert committee at Knowmad Institut.
The participants discussed drug use from various perspectives, addressing topics such as criminalization, stigma, mental health, and the impact of laws on consumers’ lives. For example, Mateo Rivera highlighted that “psychoactive substances have the ability to alter people’s moods, but substances alone don’t work that way; you must consider the person, the types of substances, and the physical and social environment in which they are used.” He also reflected on the negative morality associated with the concept of “vice,” stating that “vice is being devoted to something unworthy of devotion, it’s temptation, the inability to suppress anxiety about consumption.”
Fredy Cabrera shared his personal testimony about solvent use, explaining that “the vice of drugs is like a blanket, a bit of hope against social prejudices; that’s why alcohol, pills, and solvents are needed to shield against cold, sadness, loneliness, and sometimes violence.” He explained how, for some, drug use is a form of emotional and physical protection on the streets: “On the streets, you need to be a little sedated because being out there 24 hours exposes you to theft and mistreatment.”
Guadalupe Licea from IAPA, on her part, shared that her institution seeks to provide dignified and empathetic treatment to users of psychoactive substances, emphasizing that “IAPA seeks to care before curing; we view the use of psychoactive substances as a social phenomenon, not just a medical issue.”
Joel Anaya, a drug market expert, pointed out that the legal limits allowed for personal possession do not match the actual quantities available on the market, stressing that “the so-called legal protections for marijuana supply represent an administrative disaster.” He also shared recent data on the criminalization of users, stating that “according to the latest reports from Mexico City’s Secretariat of Citizen Security, the second most common offense for which people are brought before authorities is possession of drugs for sale.”
Art as a Vehicle for Reflection
The exhibition not only showcased impactful works but also opened the door to a dialogue about the realities of those who use psychoactive substances. Through her ceramic pieces, María Portilla invites viewers to question the notions of “vice” and the ways society approaches drug consumption, challenging the deep-rooted prejudices and stigmas surrounding this topic. José Carlos Porras, a music curator, emphasized this point by stating, “consuming psychoactive substances is a meeting point… I would like us to understand that not all consumption is dangerous.”
“Bodegón del Vicio” was a transformative event where art and political reflection converged to spark dialogue on the need for more inclusive and humane drug policies in Mexico. With the collaboration of institutions like the Knowmad Institut, Mi Valedor, and IAPA, this panel reinforces the importance of art as a bridge for urgent social discussions.
