The joy and pain of being a harm reduction worker: a qualitative study of the meanings about harm reduction in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Although harm reduction is highlighted as an effective intervention for alcohol and drug use, a funding gap for harm reduction interventions has been identified, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. In these countries, tensions between abstinence and harm reduction models have impaired the shift from punitive practices to evidence-based interventions committed to guaranteeing the human rights of people who use drugs. Since 2015, the Brazilian government has adopted a more punitive and abstinence-focused drug policy that jeopardizes the care of people who use alcohol and other drugs and the comprehension of the harm reduction workers' perspective in relation to their practice. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehend the meanings constructed by Brazilian harm reduction workers regarding their practices with vulnerable populations amidst a context of political tension. METHODS: We conducted 15 in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews with harm reduction workers employed in public health services for at least 6 months. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: The thematic axis "The joy and pain of being a harm reduction worker in Brazil" was constructed and divided into four major themes: (1) Invisibility of harm reduction work; (2) Black, poor, and people who use drugs: identification with the service users; (3) Between advocacy and profession: harm reduction as a political act; (4) Small achievements matter. Despite the perceived invisibility of harm reduction workers in the public health and alcohol and drug fields, valuing small achievements and advocacy were important resources to deal with political tension and punitive strategies in Brazil. The findings also highlight the important role of harm reduction workers due to their personal characteristics and understanding of drug use behavior, which bring the target audience closer to actions within the public health system. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to acknowledge harm reduction based on peer support as a professional category that deserves adequate financial support and workplace benefits. Additionally, expanding evidence-based harm reduction interventions and community-based voluntary drug use treatment centers should be prioritized by public policies to address the human rights violations experienced by people who use drugs.

Implications of deficit discourse in the conversations of a mother who requests forced treatment / Implicações do discurso do déficit nas conversas de uma mãe que solicita tratamento forçado / Implications du discours déficitaire sur les conversations d'une mère qui demande traitement forcé / Implicaciones del discurso del déficit en las conversaciones de una madre que solicita tratamiento forzado

Abstract This case study analyzes the implications of deficit discourse on the daily conversations of a mother who requested forced treatment for her son. Data were analyzed drawing on social construction, with an emphasis on positioning theory and deficit discourse. Two episodes displaying deficit discourse were analyzed: one about the son as someone who is powerless, coping with drug use and another about the mother as someone unable to help her son. A sample letter was constructed using relational discourse, which provided new understandings for practice. Results support the benefits of collaborative and relational approaches for people who use drugs and for the emotional support of families.

Resumo Este estudo de caso analisa as implicações do discurso do déficit nas conversas cotidianas de uma mãe que solicitou tratamento forçado para seu filho. Os dados foram analisados a partir da construção social, com ênfase na teoria do posicionamento e do discurso do déficit. Dois episódios foram analisados a partir do discurso do déficit: um sobre o filho como alguém que é impotente no enfrentamento do uso de drogas e outro sobre a mãe como alguém incapaz de ajudar seu filho. Foi construída uma carta ilustrativa a partir do discurso relacional, que proporcionou novos entendimentos para a prática. Os resultados corroboram os benefícios das abordagens colaborativas e relacionais para o suporte emocional de pessoas que usam drogas e suas famílias.

Résumé Cette étude de cas analyse les implications du discours déficitaire sur les conversations quotidiennes d'une mère qui a demandé traitement forcé pour son fils. Les données ont été analysées en s'appuyant sur la construction sociale, en mettant l'accent sur la théorie du positionnement et le discours déficitaire. Deux épisodes ont été analyses utilisant le discours déficitaire: l'un sur le fils en tant que personne impuissante face à l'usage de drogue, et l'autre sur la mère en tant que personne incapable d'aider son fils. Une lettre illustrative a été construit utilisant le discours relationnel, qui a fourni de nouvelles compréhensions pour la pratique. Les résultats confirment les avantages des approches collaboratives et relationnelles pour le soutien émotionnel des personnes qui consomment des drogues et leurs familles.

Resumen Este estudio de caso analiza las implicaciones del discurso del déficit en las conversaciones diarias de una madre que solicitó tratamiento forzado para su hijo. Los datos fueron analizados a partir de la construcción social, con énfasis en la teoría del posicionamiento y el discurso del déficit. Se analizaron dos episodios a partir del discurso del déficit: uno sobre el hijo como alguien que es impotente frente al uso de drogas y otro sobre la madre como alguien incapaz de ayudar a su hijo. Se construyó una carta ilustrativa utilizando el discurso relacional, que proporcionó nuevas comprensiones para la práctica. Los resultados respaldan los beneficios de los enfoques colaborativos y relacionales para el soporte emocional de las personas que usan drogas y sus familias.

Percepção do familiar sobre o tratamento de usuários de drogas: revisão integrativa / Perception of the family regarding the treatment of drug users: integrative review / Percepción del familiar sobre el tratamiento de usuarios de drogas: revisión integrativa

OBJETIVO: realizar revisão integrativa da literatura nacional sobre os tratamentos de usuários de álcool e outras drogas a partir da perspectiva de seus familiares. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura nacional, nos portais Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior e nas bases de dados Web of Science, The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature e PsycINFO. Após o processo de análise dos estudos recuperados, foram selecionados 21 estudos. RESULTADOS: na literatura demonstrou-se que os familiares reconheceram os serviços extra-hospitalares como importantes para melhorar as relações familiares e as condições de saúde do usuário, sendo importante a inclusão dos familiares nos espaços de tratamento para ajudar os usuários de drogas. Contudo, foram apontados, em estudos, fatores como a insuficiência desses serviços em atender a demanda apresentada, as barreiras no acesso ao tratamento e o desconhecimento desses serviços, contribuindo para a busca de internações - algumas, inclusive, forçadas. CONCLUSÃO: é necessária a ampliação dos serviços extrahospitalares, com o oferecimento de apoio aos familiares de usuários de drogas.

OBJECTIVE: to carry out an integrative review of national literature regarding the treatment of users of alcohol and other drugs from the perspective of their family members. METHOD: an integrative review of the national literature was performed in the Virtual Health Library, and Portal of Periodicals of the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Level Personnel portals, Web of Science, The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO databases. After analysis of the studies retrieved, 21 studies were selected. RESULTS: the literature showed that outpatient services were recognized by family members as important for improving family relationships and the health conditions of the drug user. They also felt it was important to include the family members in the treatment to help drug users. However, studies demonstrated the difficulties of these services to fulfill the present requirements, barriers to treatment access, and lack of knowledge regarding these services, contributing to them seeking internments, including compulsory ones. CONCLUSION: it is necessary to expand the outpatient services and provide support for the family members of drug users.

OBJETIVO: realizar una revisión integrativa de literatura nacional sobre los tratamientos de usuarios de alcohol y otras drogas desde la perspectiva de sus familiares. MÉTODO: se trata de un estudio de revisión integrativa de la literatura nacional, en los portales BVS y Portal de Periódicos Capes y en las bases de datos Web of Science, CINAHL y PsycINFO. Después del proceso de análisis de los estudios recuperados fueron seleccionaron 21 estudios. RESULTADOS: la literatura demostró que servicios extrahospitalarios fueron reconocidos por familiares como importantes para mejorar relaciones familiares y condiciones de salud del usuario, siendo importante incluir los familiares en espacios de tratamiento para ayudar a los usuarios. Sin embargo, estudios apuntaron la insuficiencia de esos servicios en atender la demanda presentada, barreras en el acceso al tratamiento y desconocimiento de esos servicios, contribuyendo a la búsqueda de internaciones, incluso forzadas. CONCLUSIÓN: es necesaria una ampliación de los servicios extrahospitalarios y que éstos ofrezcan apoyo para familiares de usuarios de drogas.