Alternative development for vulnerable populations in urban contexts: Brazil’s experiences Rafael Tobias De Freitas Alloni – Technical Advisor for International Affairs

Broadening the concept of alternative development Alternative development must provide legitimate livelihoods that are viable and sustainable in the long term for all rural and urban populations affected by illicit economies of drugs

Overview of Brazil Crack Program (2010/2011): the most vulnerable populations and crack users were the priority – urban context Profile of crack using population (Fiocruz, 2013) –Estimated 370,000 users in state capitals (0.8% of the general population) –50,000 are adolescents (11% of total users) –80% use crack in public spaces –Average age: 30 years –80% men –80% non-white (48% of the total population) –40% homeless –Low level of education (80% primary education) –Among women, 40% are sex workers; 45% say they have suffered sexual violence; 50% were pregnant when the first used crack;

Risk profile – violence Profile of victims of lethal violence in Brazil Profile of crack users (2013) 93% men (2011)80% men 60% years old (firearms, 2013) Average age: 30 71,5% non-white (2011)80% non-white An individual with fewer than 7 years of education is 16 times more likely to be murdered than someone who enters higher education (IPEA, 2016) 80% primary education According to some studies, a majority of crack users die because they are murdered

I. Attitude Project: keeping people alive Created in 2011 by the State of Pernambuco to protect drug users and low-level traffickers exposed to violence The initiative integrated the program “Pact for Life,” conceived in 2007 to reduce the number of homicides in the state –Between 2000 and 2011, the State of Pernambuco had a homicide rate of 50.4 per 100,000 inhabitants – almost double the national average. Of the 6,148 people assisted by the project between 2011 and 2015, 49% reported receiving death threats or having suffered attempted murder.

The Strategy of Project Attitude 1.Attitude in the streets –15 teams with three harm reduction professionals for psychosocial intervention and other health services. –Creation of bonds of trust 2.Shelters and support –Temporary refuge for people at risk –Food, showers, social and cultural activities, temporary refuge –Removing them from the context of violence 3.Shelters for intensive care –Houses where at risk users can stay for up to 6 months; –Teams of social workers –Mechanism for social reinsertion: activities, reconstructing personal histories, recovering documents, etc. 4.Housing assistance –Help paying rent –They continue to receive medical and psychological attention –Support in finding employment and achieving independence

Results Evaluation in cooperation with OSF: prelimiary results: –77.2% feel protected by Project Attitude –97.4% would recommend the program to a friend –77% give the program a grade between 8 and 10 out of 10 –Daily drug use decreased 82.1% among 22% of participants Together with other initiatives of the “Pact for Life” program, Project Attitude contributed to a 39% reduction in the homicide rate in the state, and a 60% reduction in its capital, Recife

II. Open Arms Created in 2014 by the Office of the Mayor of São Paulo with the purpose of managing the urban problem of crack consumption in public spaces The program integrates health, social services, human rights, work, and urbanism. Contractual relationship with minimal requirements –Decent housing – “deterritorializing” the street as housing; supports the concept of “housing first” –Paid work – revitalizing public spaces –Food Integrated to networks of social and health services Currently being broadened with the supported of the Federal Government

Un año del programa “Braços Abertos” en números 453 registered beneficiaries 80% reduction in the flow of users in the region 54,000 instances of health interventions given to those with chemical dependency 21 beneficiaries working autonomously outside of the program structure 321 working in maintenance services for public spaces 490 recovering their documents Public security –50% reduction in vehicle robberies and 33% reduction in muggings in the region where the program operates

III. Social Insertion Projects Since the end of 2014, the Federal Government has offered resources to certain municipalities for social reinsertion projects Objective: Support intersectoral initiatives which promote the exercise of citizens’ rights and autonomy among individuals who use drugs Lines of action: –Housing –Work/income – grants –Qualifications/ sports, culture Municipalities developing proposals – 21 municipalities planned – 12 are in the execution phase Potential to expand to other municipalities with high rates of violence

Conclusion Underlying concepts of the three programs –Harm reduction –Low barriers to entry –Developed based on local needs –Voluntary participation –Creation of decent alternatives, assuring dignity of individual –Looking more at individuals rather than at drugs – protagonism of the participant –Linked to networks of social and health services