Cancun, Quintana Roo — A municipal shelter in Cancun is providing comprehensive care to 15 foreign nationals struggling with addiction while consulates work to regularize their legal status and arrange repatriation.
The Municipal Institute Against Addictions (IMCA), led by Alberto Ortuño Báez, reported that three repatriations have already been completed, including two U.S. citizens and a French woman who returned to her family. The effort underscores the city’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and mental health care regardless of nationality.
Consular Procedures and Nationalities
Ortuño explained that each case requires a different protocol due to the variety of nationalities and the specific requirements of each consulate in Mexico.
“We haven’t had many foreigners, so we’re finding the right contacts for each one. They are different nationalities, each consulate is different, each procedure is different,” he said, describing the logistical complexity.
Lack of Documentation Does Not Hinder Aid
Despite bureaucratic hurdles caused by missing official documents, Ortuño stressed that the lack of papers does not prevent the shelter from providing immediate assistance.
Admission to the treatment center is strictly voluntary. “As long as the person voluntarily wants to be admitted, we admit them. If they don’t have papers, we start helping them recover their documents; we are in that whole process,” he said.
The IMCA reiterated that its primary goal extends beyond clinical addiction treatment to include rebuilding family ties and restoring human rights through timely consular liaison.
