International cooperation in the prevention of abusive use of drugs in Brazil

Abstract

The drug phenomenon is a major health problem, with significant social, political, economic and cultural repercussions for the international society. It is an item of the international agenda, as a source for the development and implementation of international cooperation initiatives. This study aimed to understand and disseminate the international cooperation agreements in the area of drugs, signed by Brazil and projects on drug demand reduction, conducted between 1998 and 2008 under the agreements signed. This is a descriptive and qualitative study, which sought the primary source in data collection and analysis of content. In total, 25 bilateral international agreements in effect and two institutions that concentrate the main projects were found in the country, totaling 13 projects during the study period. Results showed that Brazil, by ratifying international conventions and bilateral agreements for drug control, assumed a greater international commitment and has been working closely with its partners to harmonize their policies in order to achieve effective results in drug control in the country.