Harm Reduction Legislation in Brazil Paulo Teixeira International AIDS Conference Bangkok - Thailand 2004

Introduction History of harm reduction in Brazil and the law’s approval in São Paulo State Law’s approval in other Brazilian States and in the national level Extension of harm reduction policies and drug’s law reform

History First harm reduction programme was held in 1989 in the city of Santos Justice interdiction – 1995 Proposal of the harm reduction bill in the parliament

Parliamentarian Process Legal aspects - to help changing users’ risk habits Financial aspects - amplification prevention actions on STD/AIDS Political aspects –assure drug users citizenship

Mobilization Social movements- organised civil society AIDS programme – need of formalizing Press – impact of increasing unsafe injecting drug use

Results continue 125 existing programs in Brazil attending persons 631 projects were supported 17 States are covered by HRP.

Results Harm reduction programme in prisons Harm reduction as a strategy in drug policy. National Approval Jan/2002

EMPOWERMENT ABORDA- Brazilian outreach on Harm Reduction Association REDUC- Brazilian Harm Reduction Network RELARD - Latin American Harm Reduction Association Network

Challenges continue Safe injection room Clinical trials: substitution and prescription decriminalization

Challenges Work together :HRP with basic care on health Partnership :HRP with mental health Programs More intense program in prevention on drug abuse

Changing vulnerability continue Change social exclusion through out programmes such as: Job generation Micro credit Health, education, housing investments

Changing vulnerability Change social exclusion through out programmes such as: Empowerment of excluded groups Guarantee drug users’ citizenship Affirmatives actions for women and younger.

War on Drugs Similar to war against terrorism for USA Technical support Sale of technology Sale of war equipments Military intervention

No to War on Drugs Alternative policy Mobilization in different countries involving social movements, NGOs, universities, political parties and drug users network Mobilization in International Forums such as: World Social Forum and World Economic Forum

Paulo Teixeira Thank you very much!