Mapeamento da rede de atenção aos usuários de drogas: um estudo exploratório

Abstract

Currently in Brazil, when discussing care for drug users the term network quickly emerges. Therefore, a greater understanding of what would be the networks of care for drug users, their obstacles and potential, seeking to understand the factors that influence how policies reverberate in reality is needed. Thus, the present study aimed to map and analyze the network care for drug users in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, developing method to be used in other national and international contexts. The method was developed through contact with local management secretaries, local councils, gathering information on Ministries’ data bases and snowball sampling. One hundred eighty four care services for drug users were identified. Despite the heterogeneity of services and approaches, there is hegemony of non-governmental specialized services in the assistance for drug users. The following points are highlighted: the need for expansion of primary health care; implantation of more Psychosocial Centers for alcohol and drugs; expansion of the network of psychosocial care; restructure of the attention to population groups such as people on the streets, women, children and adolescents; expansion of the emergency network care; and the better distribution/regionalization of services, mainly the governmental specialized for drug users. Further studies are needed for care networks to drug users in the country, with research that also encompass relational aspects.