A Note From the Field In Search of Roland Wayne, Jr. (Not His Real Name): Comment on Social Connectivity

This brief report article is a retrospective, descriptive, first-person account of following-up on a difficult-to-find client of an HIV/AIDS community-based pre-post intervention and disease prevention Research and Demonstration project in Houston, TX. Through the story about the personal journey of searching for the client, the author experiences an epiphany, especially in light of current events. Specifically, as opposed to social distancing and disconnection, public health disease prevention probably would be better served through leveraging the powerful and positive natural human features of social connectivity and closeness.

[Drug policies in the Brazilian context: an intersectional analysis of "Cracolândia" in São Paulo, Brazil]

From the analysis of a specific conjuncture, "Cracolândia" in São Paulo, Brazil, and the "De Braços Abertos" program, this article discusses the complex relationships between drug use and the formulation of public policies directed to the care of users. In methodological terms, this work is based on the qualitative research by using semi-structured interviews with thirteen key informants. The empirical material was analyzed from the content thematic analysis and the intersectionality perspective, especially from the theoretical contributions of the "difference" category. The results point out that "differences" are marked by gender, race and social position in the society, reinforcing stigmas and their different impacts on social relations. This paper contributes to the debate on the need to formulate different approaches to the specific needs and demands of populations or social classification categories regarding drug public policy.

[The use of "virado" as a harm reduction strategy among crack users in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil]

The aim of the study is to discuss the use of crack in the form of "virado" as a harm reduction strategy in Pernambuco, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach in which semi-structured interviews were conducted regarding aspects related to the culture of crack use with 39 crack users between March and August 2016. Participants were recruited using saturation criteria and data were analyzed through content analysis. Respondents discussed the use of "virado" and compared its effects in relation to crack, addressing improvement in interpersonal relationships, libido, and non-compulsive drug use, which can all be understood as harm reduction strategies. On the other hand, equipment sharing for the use of "virado" was identified as a high-risk practice with regards to the transmission of infectious diseases. Knowing about the culture of crack use in different contexts is essential in order to plan and develop health care actions.

Strategies of care for adolescent users of crack undergoing treatment

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the care strategies of the adolescent crack user under treatment.

METHODS

Study of qualitative approach of descriptive type. The participants were 20 professionals from the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas (Center for Psychosocial Care Alcohol and Drugs) and 10 professionals from the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infanto-juvenil (Center for Child Psychosocial Care) in a municipality in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews and the data were submitted to Thematic Analysis.

RESULTS

It was identified the development of strategies in four scopes: attractive activities in specialized services, the building of bonds between the team and the adolescent, the inclusion of family in the care and the intersectoral work.

CONCLUSIONS

Care strategies, directed to and that address the needs of adolescents, contribute to better adherence to treatment and social reintegration.