Entre nós, laços e tramas: compreendendo a rede de atenção aos usuários de drogas

Abstract

Within the present thesis, I aim to undertake a comprehensive understanding on care networks for drug users in Brazil, understanding their theoretical and conceptual fundamentals and policy frameworks, but also how they conform in practice. The work is structured in three chapters. In the first, we try to comprehend and point out approach possibilities to drugs in its Brazilian contemporary form. The second one is the thematic content analysis of Brazil’s current policies and main normative-legal apparatus on drugs, to elucidate their conceptualizations and characterizations of the care networks for drug users, as well as some of its core categories, tracing possible contradictions and potentials. The third chapter refers to an empirical study that evaluated the care network in their practical concreteness, specifically the network of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais state, using Social Network Analysis as the assessment strategy. A series of close aspects and differences between policies and the network in practice were found. Barriers were identified in establishing the premises of integrality and intersectionality, as well as a highly centralized network in CAPSad. There was also a predominance to establish referral and counter-referral, instead of joint coordination cases and implementation of programs together. It points out to the need for modification of this forwarding and referral logic, especially for specialized and emergency services, towards shared care. Greater coordination between health and social assistance sectors is also placed, especially in carrying out institutional programs and actions that go beyond the occasional care. We conclude that the care networks for drug users are still recent arrangements, addressing an overly complex and heterogeneous theme, not conforming, therefore, as ready, static, and final arrangements, but they are being molded over time. In this sense, it takes some modifications resulting from the policies and regulatory apparatus in the area so that they can subsequently reverberate positively in practice, enabling the strengthening of care network to drug users.