Prevenção e tratamento de militares com problemas relacionados ao uso de álcool e outras drogas no Corpo de Bombeiros Militar de Minas Gerais: avanços e permanências nas políticas e práticas institucionais (2015–2025)

Abstract

This study analyzed the institutional policies and practices of the Military Fire Brigade of Minas Gerais aimed at the prevention and treatment of military personnel with problems related to the use of alcohol and other drugs from 2015 to 2025. The research problem focused on identifying the extent to which the institution advanced in the formulation of guidelines, the organization of care pathways, and the monitoring of these cases, as well as recognizing continuities, gaps, and challenges that remain in this field. The objective was to examine internal rules, resolutions, guidelines, and instruments of the CBMMG, relating them to specialized literature and to Brazilian regulatory frameworks on drugs, mental health, and workers’ health. Methodologically, this was a qualitative, documentary, bibliographic, and analytical study, based on institutional sources, scientific literature, and technical materials related to drug policies, mental health, public security, and the care network. The findings indicated relevant advances in incorporating the topic into the institutional agenda, particularly within health policy, occupational health, and the Corporation’s strategic planning. However, they also revealed important continuities, such as stigma, weaknesses in formally established institutional care pathways, a tendency toward predominantly reactive responses, and insufficient coordination between internal care and the external care network. It was concluded that improving the institutional policies and practices of the CBMMG requires greater integration among prevention, early detection, reception, follow-up, and functional reintegration, in line with public policies on mental health, drugs, and workers’ health.