Harm reduction public policies

an analysis of supervised consumption rooms in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

Assisted consumption rooms are safe spaces where individuals can consume medications under supervision and with access to healthcare. In Portugal, these rooms are part of a public policy that aims to reduce harm, treating drug use as a public health issue. The aim is to reduce the risks and consequences associated with drug use, providing a safe environment and facilitating access to health and social assistance services. This pragmatic approach aims to minimize the negative consequences of drug use, focusing on the health and social reintegration of consumers. In Brazil the scenario is different. The legislation is more restrictive in relation to drug use and assisted consumption rooms are analyzed from the perspective of resistance. This is because it is considered that these spaces can encourage and even normalize drug use. It is noted, therefore, that the Brazilian profile is more punitive and focused on repressing drug consumption and trafficking, reflecting a less tolerant stance towards the use of psychoactive substances. The comparison between the two countries highlights a fundamental difference in approach. While Portugal adopts a public health strategy that aims to reduce harm and reintegrate users into society, Brazil follows a more traditional line, based on prohibition and punishment. This political divergence reflects different social and cultural perceptions about drug use, sparking debates about the best way to deal with this complex challenge.