Author:

• Luciane Marques Raupp - Raupp. L. - Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul - Universidade de São Paulo - <lucianeraupp@usp.br>

Thematic Area:

Não Categorizado

Abstract:

Although the use of drugs is a practice present since the beginning of the humanity, currently the abuse of these substances acquired a perturbing dimension which can be characterized as a public health problem. The spread of "crack", a drug derived from the cocaine paste, is aggravating this picture with the impact of its damage on individuals and society. Aiming at learn about the impact of the spread of this drug in daily life of users, it was carried out an ethnographic study in downtown São Paulo, SP (Brazil) in locations where crack is sold and used. Method: it was used a field diary to register the observations and informal dialogues with the people who circulate in the place. The results of this study shows the circuits covered for the users, their dynamics and the complex relationships, based on tension and violence, involving the users as victims and aggressors as well. The study also describes other important factors such as the history of the region, the public policies, and lack of socioeconomic investment and public health. We suggest that process of urbanization and consequent environmental degradation has a narrow relationship with the present scenario of the region.
Key-words: use of crack; etnographic; public health.

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