title: [Laws and policies on illicit drugs in Brazil and the perspective of drug users' family members and acquaintances: a study in the City of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil].
abstract: Brazilian drugs legislation has evolved from a prohibitionist system to a less repressive one in terms of drug users. The objective of this study was to identify the perception of relatives and acquaintances of drug users living in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, about the country's laws and policies on drugs. Data collection was performed using a structured questionnaire. The sample consisted of 100 drug users' relatives or acquaintances, selected at a public health service. Respondents' relationships with the drug user were as follows: 31% friend, 23% sibling, 15% child and 7% spouse. Most users (78%) were men, with an average age of 26 years. Results confirm that national laws and policies have a direct effect on individuals' attitude and behaviors. There is a lack of trust in the police and a general perception that, despite recent chances that favor user rehabilitation, the laws on drugs do not respect users' human rights.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. caaventu@eerp.usp.br
authors.forename: Carla Aparecida Arena
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ventura
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brands
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adlaf
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giesbrecht
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Simich
authors.forename: Maria da Gloria Miotto
authors.initials: Mda G
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Paulo Sérgio
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D011640:Public Policy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs