While there might be certain groups where using illegal drugs seems prevalent (rich college kids, deported d-yols, ghetto folks), drug use can't be considered part of mainstream Dominican culture. It's not like Jamaica where the country is synonymous with weed and Bob Marley. The average Dominican seems to think very poorly of drug users of any type or level. Look at what most people think/say about Parque Duarte in Santo Domingo, they would rather bulldoze it down than it have the reputation as a hangout for supposed drug users.
I have personally witnessed, as a result of being in the vicinity by CHANCE, raids in poor rural neighborhoods. In one, people started throwing rocks at the police because they just took everyone that was in the house, and the police responded with tear gas. Glad I wasn't sitting in that patio at the time!
Of course drugs are a huge moneymaker here and available. You can call up a colmado and they deliver them. In every town, people know who the narcos and money-launderers are, even the authorities. But their luck runs out when the bribes aren't enough or the government needs to look tough on drugs, and they too are screwed just like the neighborhood crackhead. I do think that the older generations blow the problem of drug use out of proportion. I can't count how many times I've heard someone say "la droga esta acabando con la juventud". It's not really THAT bad.
To the foreigners: I hate to sound like somebody's mom, but drugs are not something to mess with here. There are enough ways to enjoy yourself in this country and respect its laws and culture at the same time. The money you could potentially lose to bribes or the time you could have to spend in an AI jail or prison are NOT worth it.
One mistake that I think some foreigners make here is to hang out or be panas with dominican drug users or dealers. These people can seem more interesting maybe because they have been to other countries or because you have friends (or you) use back home. Yes, people can associate with whoever they want, but it does have consecuences. When I first moved to the small town where I lived for a while, I spoke a few times in public with what was apparently a known drug dealer and user. This was pointed out to me by several community members and I was advised to not have a relationship with the person. I listened to them. I contined to say 'hey, how's it going', but that's about it. Never took him up on any free rides, offers to go out, etc. I do not regret the decision because it could have affected my image in the community, whether or not people trusted me with their kids, and it could have been seen by some youth as me condoning the behavior.
In some ways it's unfortunate that drug use is so stigmatized, especially to addicts. I have gotten to know some guys from Hogar Crea and a little about their organization, and although they take pride in being self-sufficient (they make some good doughnuts!), it's a shame to see how little the government is concerned about supporting their or similiar intiatives. Also, the Consejo Nacional de Drogas, which is responsible for prevention, does very little. They seem to think that putting on 1 basketball tourney a year in a poor barrio will keep kids off drugs. Right. I'm sure they suffer some of the same "weaknesses" as other government agencies.
In the U.S., I could be considered a liberal, even sympathizing with the movement to legalize marijuana. But here? I couldn't be happier that drugs are viewed so negatively, because the youth have enough issues to deal with in their struggle to have a better future. They don't need drugs on top of everything else. I just don't think drugs should be stigmatized to the point where it affects being able to help addicts in need of treatment.
On the website for the Consejo Nacional de Drogas, there are some studies and statistics about drug use in the DR, including a 2008 national survey of high schoolers:
Consejo Nacional de Drogas | Investigaciones