title: Stigma and prejudice: the experience of crack users.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the stigma and prejudice experienced by crack users in their social context.
  
  
  METHODS
  a qualitative study developed through the Fourth Generation Evaluation, conducted with four interest groups (ten users, eleven families, eight employees, and seven managers), components of the mental health care network. For data collection, we used observation and individual interview. The analysis was performed through the constant comparative method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  crack users suffer prejudice and are stigmatized as those who do not fit in the systems established by society (without family links, formal employment and dwelling), and are thus excluded. They exhibit undisciplined behavior and, therefore, are discriminated, marginalized and considered as criminals, losing their uniqueness and living in vulnerable situations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the evaluation process emphasized the need to demystify the social imaginary that demonizes the chemically dependent, being thus important to develop public policies with actions focused on health, prevention, information and combat to stigma.
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nathália Duarte
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Bard
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.affiliation: aff3.
authors.forename: Cristine Moraes
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olschowsky
authors.affiliation: Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leandro Barbosa
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: de Pinho
mesh_terms: D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D004651:Employment; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D011287:Prejudice; D057545:Social Stigma
chemical_list: D016578:Crack Cocaine