SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — During the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more Americans sought medications south of the border in cities such as Tijuana, according to activist Marck Rivera García.

He says the pattern continues to this day, but now people from north of the border are seeking cheaper narcotics that are more potent and readily available in Mexico.

“Addicts from the United States are crossing the border motivated by the lower cost of drugs,” Rivera García said. “When they come here, they stay for about a week, then they go home for more money only to return to Tijuana for more drugs.”

He says some never go back to the U.S., only to end up homeless on the streets of Tijuana.

Rivera García works with Tijuana’s homeless and drug users in the Zona Norte, an area that requires only a short walk from the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

It’s also a neighborhood notorious for drug use, strip joints and prostitution.

“We try to support them with food, keep them from wasting their money on drugs. Some require counseling, a shower or help in getting back home north of the border,” he explained.

According to Rivera García, crystal meth is the drug most sought after by people who come from the U.S.

He didn’t provide numbers or statistics, saying he is simply seeing more and more drug users and addicts in Tijuana with addresses in the U.S.