Suchergebnisse

This paper is the result of the study Apreensões de drogas no estado de São Paulo: Um raio-x das apreensões de drogas segundo ocorrências e massa [Drug Seizures in the State of São Paulo: An In-Depth View of Drug Seizures Broken Down by Number of Incidents and Drug Amounts], conducted by Instituto Sou da Paz to encourage a discussion about Brazil's drug policy. The study focuses on drug incidents in the state of São Paulo, the richest and most populous in Brazil, which accounts for 28% of all drug incidents in the country. São Paulo is also the state with the largest police force—about 100,000 policiais militares [ostensible police officers] and 30,000 policiais civis [investigative police officers]. São Paulo law enforcement seized over 100 MT [metric tons] of drugs in the state in 2015. In 2016, drug seizures totaled over 160 MT.1 Data on drug seizures in Brazil are still scarce. It is crucial to have those data to assess the performance of the institutions comprising the criminal justice system as far as drugs are concerned. Based on statistical resources, we found that a large number of drug incidents involve small amounts of drugs, whereas large seizures account for a significant share of the total amount of drugs seized. By comparing those data, we show police resources are largely used in incidents that have no impact on the drug trafficking chain and in which only drug users and small drug dealers are charged. Este artigo deriva da pesquisa "Apreensões de drogas no estado de São Paulo: Um raio-x das apreensões de drogas segundo ocorrências e massa", realizada pelo Instituto Sou da Paz para fomentar a discussão sobre a política de drogas no Brasil. O trabalho se debruça sobre as ocorrências de drogas do Estado de São Paulo, o mais rico e populoso da federação, que responde por 28% de todas as ocorrências do país. São Paulo é também a unidade federativa com o maior efetivo policial, com aproximadamente 100 mil policiais militares e 30 mil policiais civis. Em 2015, as forças de segurança de São Paulo ultrapassaram a marca de 100 toneladas de drogas apreendidas em seu território. No ano seguinte foram mais de 160 toneladas .Os dados sobre as apreensões de drogas no Brasil ainda são escassos. Esses dados são fundamentais para analisarmos a atuação das instituições do Sistema de Justiça Criminal no que concerne à questão das drogas. Utilizando recursos estatísticos, observamos que grande parte das ocorrências envolve quantidades pequenas de droga, ao passo que as grandes apreensões têm significativa participação no total de quantidade de drogas apreendidas. Com esses cruzamentos, demonstramos que boa parte dos recursos policiais são empregados em ocorrências que não impactam na cadeia de tráfico de drogas, autuando usuários e pequenos traficantes. Publisher's Note:This article has been published in both Portuguese and English. To download the Portuguese version, click the "Download" link and select "PDF (PT)". Este artigo foi publicado tanto em Inglês, como em Português. Para baixar a versão em Português, clique "Download" e depois selecione "PDF (PT)".

National drug control policies and strategies are heavily dependent on the international legal framework. International standards set by United Nations drug control conventions serve as basic principles for the development and shape of national drug control systems. International drug control system has its own, a very specific history and dynamics of development in which the United States definitely did play a very important role promoting prohibitionist approach based on the abstinence paradigm. According to this paradigm drug use is acceptable only for scientific and medical purposes. Unsurprisingly, recreational or experimental use of drugs is considered as unacceptable and inevitably leading to addiction. This hard-line approach dominated in public discourse during the 20th century and the drug use was seen either as a sin or as a disease. However, it seems that from the beginning of the 21th century, international drug control regime, ideologically based on the abstinence paradigm, is facing big challenges and it is not entirely clear what to expect in the future. Ironically, the United States is the most important player again, but this time in quite the opposite role. Moralising teetotaller Dr. Jeckyll suddenly turned in a pothead Mr. Hyde. So-called "cannabis capitalism" process in several states of USA, when the sale of recreational cannabis was fully legalised, raised serious questions about the perspectives of international drug control system, because such practice is obviously in breach of the international law. Also it is important to note other signs of moving towards the drug policy with a human face, especially raising the popularity of the harm reduction approach to the drug problem and process of "soft deception' related to that. The latter means that some countries are choosing more tolerant approach theoretically not infringing legal boundaries set by the conventions. Considering the context provided above, the main purpose of this study was to make the analysis of the peculiarities of global drug control system and their interrelation with the national drug control policy in the light of personal drug use. In order to fulfil this goal historical analysis of the development of United Nations global drug control system was made, peculiarities and characteristic features of the legal framework of this system as well as legal boundaries set for countries by the conventions were analysed. Particular attention was paid to the international legal framework regarding personal drug use, different national practises in this perspective as well as possible directions of the future development of global drug control system were discussed. Finally, Lithuanian drug control policy in the context of United Nations drug control regime was discussed. Main research methods were: logical-linguistic, systemic, comparative as well as analysis of documents and secondary data. Moreover, relevant scientific literature, national and international legal acts in the area of drug control were studied. The drug control and drug policy primarily were explored from criminological and sociology of law perspectives. In author's point of view these interdisciplinary social sciences enable to achieve deeper understanding of drug control phenomenon than it is possible to attain using only narrow legalistic analysis of laws and legal norms. According to the findings of the study the drug control policy (national, regional or global) is a complex phenomenon influenced by many cultural, social and other factors as well as different interest groups (physicians, law enforcement agencies, etc.) operating in the drug control field. It is important to stress, that usually legal control has a very limited (if has at all) influence to the prevalence of illicit drug use, which is mostly determined by the culture, social policy and social context. On the other hand, the drug control remedies are significant when dealing with the high-risk/problem drug use. The United Nations conventions set legal boundaries to the countries, but there is a certain room of interpretation. United Nations institutions (especially International Drug Control Board) support the narrow interpretation of the treaties and usually criticise countries (as sending "wrong signals") that are leaning towards less strict drug policies. Accordingly, various harm reduction practises are on the edge of violation of international law but this is a matter of interpretation. The United Nations conventions and European Union documents make a clear distinction between drug dealing and activities attributed to personal use. The drug dealing is always a matter of criminal law; accordingly criminal sanctions should be strict enough. As regards to the personal drug use countries have more flexibility and other measures (administrative sanctions, medical treatment, etc.) could be applied. On the other hand, legal market of substances controlled by the Schedule IV (e.g. cannabis) could not be created at the same time not infringing international law. In the 21th century a gradual weakening of international drug control regime could be observed. The main feature of this phenomenon is a soft deception, which is related to the increasing popularity of the harm reduction doctrine. It goes hand in hand with the decriminalisation and/or the depenalisation of activities related to personal drug use shifting from punitive approach to the more health oriented. The main challenge to the existing global drug control system is de jure legalisation of cannabis in several USA states. It is related to the process of cannabis use "normalisation"; then such practice is not regarded as a pathological behaviour anymore. It is important to stress that this approach contradicts the abstinence paradigm, which is an ideological core of the United Nations conventions. It creates a high tension and the future of international drug control system in existing framework becomes uncertain. In order to maintain the stability of the system in particular and the trust in international law in general, the revision of UN drug control conventions seems to be inevitable. Lithuanian drug control policy is oriented to the strict control measures and prevention. As regards to the personal drug use till 2017 the drug gaining and possession were partially decriminalised because such activities were subject of either criminal or administrative liability. From 2017 onwards such activities are subject of criminal law only without any explanation of this change of law. Therefore, the Lithuanian drug control policy is moving to the opposite direction than in the Western world, i.e. to more strict measures regarding personal use of drugs. In this context, it is important to stress, that criminal law is considered as ultima ratio measure which has multiple side effects, thus criminalisation of certain activity or introduction of criminal sanctions must be strongly grounded. Preferably, not only by arguments, but also by hard empirical data supporting those arguments. It could be concluded, that decriminalisation in the sphere of personal drug use has legal and pragmatic assumptions. Such policy does not violate legal boundaries set by the United Nations conventions and reflects the newest tendencies of how modern drug control policy should look like. Last but not least, it is important to stress, that effective drug control policy should be evidence based. That means that drug policy changes should be supported by science innovations, empirical data, cost-benefit analysis, etc.

National drug control policies and strategies are heavily dependent on the international legal framework. International standards set by United Nations drug control conventions serve as basic principles for the development and shape of national drug control systems. International drug control system has its own, a very specific history and dynamics of development in which the United States definitely did play a very important role promoting prohibitionist approach based on the abstinence paradigm. According to this paradigm drug use is acceptable only for scientific and medical purposes. Unsurprisingly, recreational or experimental use of drugs is considered as unacceptable and inevitably leading to addiction. This hard-line approach dominated in public discourse during the 20th century and the drug use was seen either as a sin or as a disease. However, it seems that from the beginning of the 21th century, international drug control regime, ideologically based on the abstinence paradigm, is facing big challenges and it is not entirely clear what to expect in the future. Ironically, the United States is the most important player again, but this time in quite the opposite role. Moralising teetotaller Dr. Jeckyll suddenly turned in a pothead Mr. Hyde. So-called "cannabis capitalism" process in several states of USA, when the sale of recreational cannabis was fully legalised, raised serious questions about the perspectives of international drug control system, because such practice is obviously in breach of the international law. Also it is important to note other signs of moving towards the drug policy with a human face, especially raising the popularity of the harm reduction approach to the drug problem and process of "soft deception' related to that. The latter means that some countries are choosing more tolerant approach theoretically not infringing legal boundaries set by the conventions. Considering the context provided above, the main purpose of this study was to make the analysis of the peculiarities of global drug control system and their interrelation with the national drug control policy in the light of personal drug use. In order to fulfil this goal historical analysis of the development of United Nations global drug control system was made, peculiarities and characteristic features of the legal framework of this system as well as legal boundaries set for countries by the conventions were analysed. Particular attention was paid to the international legal framework regarding personal drug use, different national practises in this perspective as well as possible directions of the future development of global drug control system were discussed. Finally, Lithuanian drug control policy in the context of United Nations drug control regime was discussed. Main research methods were: logical-linguistic, systemic, comparative as well as analysis of documents and secondary data. Moreover, relevant scientific literature, national and international legal acts in the area of drug control were studied. The drug control and drug policy primarily were explored from criminological and sociology of law perspectives. In author's point of view these interdisciplinary social sciences enable to achieve deeper understanding of drug control phenomenon than it is possible to attain using only narrow legalistic analysis of laws and legal norms. According to the findings of the study the drug control policy (national, regional or global) is a complex phenomenon influenced by many cultural, social and other factors as well as different interest groups (physicians, law enforcement agencies, etc.) operating in the drug control field. It is important to stress, that usually legal control has a very limited (if has at all) influence to the prevalence of illicit drug use, which is mostly determined by the culture, social policy and social context. On the other hand, the drug control remedies are significant when dealing with the high-risk/problem drug use. The United Nations conventions set legal boundaries to the countries, but there is a certain room of interpretation. United Nations institutions (especially International Drug Control Board) support the narrow interpretation of the treaties and usually criticise countries (as sending "wrong signals") that are leaning towards less strict drug policies. Accordingly, various harm reduction practises are on the edge of violation of international law but this is a matter of interpretation. The United Nations conventions and European Union documents make a clear distinction between drug dealing and activities attributed to personal use. The drug dealing is always a matter of criminal law; accordingly criminal sanctions should be strict enough. As regards to the personal drug use countries have more flexibility and other measures (administrative sanctions, medical treatment, etc.) could be applied. On the other hand, legal market of substances controlled by the Schedule IV (e.g. cannabis) could not be created at the same time not infringing international law. In the 21th century a gradual weakening of international drug control regime could be observed. The main feature of this phenomenon is a soft deception, which is related to the increasing popularity of the harm reduction doctrine. It goes hand in hand with the decriminalisation and/or the depenalisation of activities related to personal drug use shifting from punitive approach to the more health oriented. The main challenge to the existing global drug control system is de jure legalisation of cannabis in several USA states. It is related to the process of cannabis use "normalisation"; then such practice is not regarded as a pathological behaviour anymore. It is important to stress that this approach contradicts the abstinence paradigm, which is an ideological core of the United Nations conventions. It creates a high tension and the future of international drug control system in existing framework becomes uncertain. In order to maintain the stability of the system in particular and the trust in international law in general, the revision of UN drug control conventions seems to be inevitable. Lithuanian drug control policy is oriented to the strict control measures and prevention. As regards to the personal drug use till 2017 the drug gaining and possession were partially decriminalised because such activities were subject of either criminal or administrative liability. From 2017 onwards such activities are subject of criminal law only without any explanation of this change of law. Therefore, the Lithuanian drug control policy is moving to the opposite direction than in the Western world, i.e. to more strict measures regarding personal use of drugs. In this context, it is important to stress, that criminal law is considered as ultima ratio measure which has multiple side effects, thus criminalisation of certain activity or introduction of criminal sanctions must be strongly grounded. Preferably, not only by arguments, but also by hard empirical data supporting those arguments. It could be concluded, that decriminalisation in the sphere of personal drug use has legal and pragmatic assumptions. Such policy does not violate legal boundaries set by the United Nations conventions and reflects the newest tendencies of how modern drug control policy should look like. Last but not least, it is important to stress, that effective drug control policy should be evidence based. That means that drug policy changes should be supported by science innovations, empirical data, cost-benefit analysis, etc.

This article aims to share the experience of Movimentos (Movements), a collective of young activists from Brazilian favelas and peripheral neighborhoods whose goal is to discuss alternatives to the current drug policy from the peripheral youth's standpoint. The population's role in the formulation, application, and enforcement of public safety and drug policies is rudimentary, and the opportunities available to youngsters who live in Brazilian favelas and the outskirts are even smaller. The purpose of Movimentos is to have youngsters from the outskirts take center stage in the debate over public safety and drug policies, because they are the war on drugs greatest victims. The collective follows a hybrid organizational model that combines collective, horizontal governance with the institutional support of an academic research center. Not only does it seek to broaden youngsters' agency around public safety and drug policies, but it also devises and experiments with methodologies to enable their active participation. O presente artigo tem como objetivo compartilhar a experiência de construção do Movimentos, um coletivo de jovens ativistas de favelas e periferias do Brasil que tem como propósito discutir alternativas à atual política de drogas a partir da perspectiva da juventude periférica. A capacidade de incidência popular na formulação, execução e supervisão das políticas públicas de segurança e de drogas é incipiente e, nesse quadro, menores ainda são as oportunidades disponíveis para a participação a juventude que vive nas favelas e periferias brasileiras. O Movimentos nasce com o propósito de colocar no centro do debate sobre segurança pública e política de drogas os atores que são mais impactados pela chamada "guerra às drogas": os jovens periféricos. Apostando em um modelo híbrido de organização, que combina a governança coletiva e horizontal ao apoio institucional de um centro de pesquisa vinculado a uma universidade, o Movimentos busca não apenas ampliar a capacidade de incidência política da juventude periférica nas áreas de segurança pública e política de drogas, mas também elaborar e experimentar metodologias que possibilitem sua participação ativa e engajada. Publisher's Note:This article has been published in both Portuguese and English. To download the Portuguese version, click the "Download" link and select "PDF (PT)". Este artigo foi publicado tanto em Inglês, como em Português. Para baixar a versão em Português, clique "Download" e depois selecione "PDF (PT)".

OBJETIVO Analisar a implementação da política de regulação de preços de medicamentos pela Câmara de Regulação do Mercado de Medicamentos. MÉTODOS Estudo baseado na realização de entrevistas, em 2012, usando questionários semiestruturados, com atores sociais do mercado de medicamentos, representantes da indústria farmacêutica, de consumidores e do órgão regulador. Foram também compilados preços de medicamentos obtidos em pesquisas realizadas no Estado de São Paulo, nos pontos de venda, entre fevereiro de 2009 e maio de 2012. RESULTADOS As médias dos preços de medicamentos praticadas nos pontos de venda (farmácias e drogarias) estiveram muito abaixo do preço máximo ao consumidor, em relação à grande parte dos medicamentos comercializados no Brasil. Entre 2009 e 2012, 44 dos 129 preços praticados, correspondentes a 99 medicamentos constantes do banco de preços compilados, apresentaram variação superior a 20,0% entre a média de preços praticados nos pontos de venda e o preço máximo ao consumidor. Ademais, muitos laboratórios se recusaram a aplicar o coeficiente de adequação de preços nas vendas a órgãos públicos. CONCLUSÕES A regulação implementada pelo órgão regulador do mercado de medicamentos foi incapaz de controlar os preços de quantidade significativa dos medicamentos comercializados, pressionando-os a patamares inferiores àqueles determinados pela indústria farmacêutica e falhando, portanto, no seu objetivo de promover assistência farmacêutica. É necessária reforma da lei regulamentadora para permitir a redução de preços praticados no mercado pelo órgão regulador, bem como fortalecimento institucional desse órgão. ; OBJECTIVE Analyze the implementation of drug price regulation policy by the Drug Market Regulation Chamber. METHODS This is an interview-based study, which was undertaken in 2012, using semi-structured questionnaires with social actors from the pharmaceutical market, the pharmaceuticals industry, consumers and the regulatory agency. In addition, drug prices were compiled based on surveys conducted in the state of Sao Paulo, at the point of sale, between February 2009 and May 2012. RESULTS The mean drug prices charged at the point of sale (pharmacies) were well below the maximum price to the consumer, compared with many drugs sold in Brazil. Between 2009 and 2012, 44 of the 129 prices, corresponding to 99 drugs listed in the database of compiled prices, showed a variation of more than 20.0% in the mean prices at the point of sale and the maximum price to the consumer. In addition, many laboratories have refused to apply the price adequacy coefficient in their sales to government agencies. CONCLUSIONS The regulation implemented by the pharmaceutical market regulator was unable to significantly control prices of marketed drugs, without succeeding to push them to levels lower than those determined by the pharmaceutical industry and failing, therefore, in its objective to promote pharmaceutical support for the public. It is necessary reconstruct the regulatory law to allow market prices to be reduced by the regulator as well as institutional strengthen this government body.

Pesquisas reconhecem a presença de drogas psicotrópicas nas escolas e abuso dessas substâncias entre alunos. Apontam a necessidade de melhorar a formação de professores em prevenção ao consumo de drogas. Estudos demonstram que o contexto da sala se aula e a atuação do professor são elementos determinantes para assegurar o interesse e o entusiasmo na aprendizagem. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar se as atuais práticas docentes são apropriadas à demanda do abuso de drogas entre estudantes. Realizou-se uma intervenção pedagógica entre professoras (23) de educação básica fundamentada no método dialético: tese, antítese e síntese. No presente estudo, o planejamento e a estruturação da intervenção tiveram como foco criar um clima que viabilizasse a motivação para aprender dos professores participantes. Os resultados mostram que a construção de um ambiente de aprendizagem estimulante está associado à motivação de quem aprende. Além disso, sugerem que as propostas inconsistentes do início da intervenção foram se redefinindo até a formulação de propostas novas e adequadas ao contexto social, evidenciando articulação de conhecimentos sobre prevenção ao uso de drogas.

ABSTRACT Objective: to reflect on the historical evolution of public policies aimed at drug users, highlighting the advances made and their contextual reality. Methodology: descriptive study consisting in a reflective analysis. For its preparation, we chose to conduct a previous narrative literature review, which allowed a broader and contextualized reflexive approach. Results: we notice along this historic pathway the disruption of a major paradigm: no restriction of this problem to the legal and police dimension, but understanding the existence of an inevitable relation between drug use and changes involving health. Conclusion: despite all advances and achievements, what can be actually noticed in political speeches on the theme are guidelines that complement and converge to the deployment of increasingly effective measures to tackle this public health problem. Descriptors: Illicit Drugs; Public Policies; Nursing. RESUMO Objetivo: refletir sobre a evolução histórica das políticas públicas direcionadas aos usuários de drogas, destacando os avanços obtidos e sua realidade contextual. Metodologia: estudo descritivo do tipo análise reflexiva. Para sua elaboração, optou-se por uma revisão narrativa da literatura prévia, o que possibilitou uma abordagem reflexiva ampliada e contextualizada. Resultados: percebe-se ao longo desse percurso histórico o rompimento de um importante paradigma: a não restrição dessa problemática à dimensão jurídica e policial, mas a compreensão da existência de uma relação inevitável entre o consumo de drogas e as alterações envolvendo a saúde. Conclusão: apesar de todos os avanços e conquistas, o que de fato se percebe nos discursos políticos sobre o tema são diretrizes que se complementam e convergem para a implementação de medidas cada vez mais efetivas para enfrentar esse problema de saúde pública. Descritores: Drogas Ilícitas; Políticas Públicas; Enfermagem. RESUMEN Objetivo: reflexionar acerca de la evolución histórica de las políticas públicas dirigidas a los usuarios de drogas, destacando los avances logrados y su realidad contextual. Metodología: estudio descriptivo del tipo análisis reflexivo. Para su elaboración, se optó por realizar una revisión narrativa de literatura previa, lo que posibilitó un abordaje reflexivo amplio y contextualizado. Resultados: lo que se percibe a lo largo de esa ruta histórica es la ruptura de un paradigma importante: no hay restricción de ese problema a la dimensión jurídica y policial, pero la comprensión de la existencia de una relación inevitable entre el uso de drogas y los cambios relativos a la salud. Conclusión: a pesar de todos los avances y logros, lo que de hecho se percibe en los discursos políticos acerca del tema son directrices que se complementan y convergen para la implementación de medidas cada vez más eficaces para hacer frente a ese problema de salud pública. Descriptores: Drogas Ilícitas; Políticas Públicas; Enfermería. ; RESUMO Objetivo: refletir sobre a evolução histórica das políticas públicas direcionadas aos usuários de drogas, destacando os avanços obtidos e sua realidade contextual. Metodologia: estudo descritivo do tipo análise reflexiva. Para sua elaboração, optou-se por uma revisão narrativa da literatura prévia, o que possibilitou uma abordagem reflexiva ampliada e contextualizada. Resultados: percebe-se ao longo desse percurso histórico o rompimento de um importante paradigma: a não restrição dessa problemática à dimensão jurídica e policial, mas a compreensão da existência de uma relação inevitável entre o consumo de drogas e as alterações envolvendo a saúde. Conclusão: apesar de todos os avanços e conquistas, o que de fato se percebe nos discursos políticos sobre o tema são diretrizes que se complementam e convergem para a implementação de medidas cada vez mais efetivas para enfrentar esse problema de saúde pública. Descritores: Drogas Ilícitas; Políticas Públicas; Enfermagem. ABSTRACT Objective: to reflect on the historical evolution of public policies aimed at drug users, highlighting the advances made and their contextual reality. Methodology: descriptive study consisting in a reflective analysis. For its preparation, we chose to conduct a previous narrative literature review, which allowed a broader and contextualized reflexive approach. Results: we notice along this historic pathway the disruption of a major paradigm: no restriction of this problem to the legal and police dimension, but understanding the existence of an inevitable relation between drug use and changes involving health. Conclusion: despite all advances and achievements, what can be actually noticed in political speeches on the theme are guidelines that complement and converge to the deployment of increasingly effective measures to tackle this public health problem. Descriptors: Illicit Drugs; Public Policies; Nursing. RESUMEN Objetivo: reflexionar acerca de la evolución histórica de las políticas públicas dirigidas a los usuarios de drogas, destacando los avances logrados y su realidad contextual. Metodología: estudio descriptivo del tipo análisis reflexivo. Para su elaboración, se optó por realizar una revisión narrativa de literatura previa, lo que posibilitó un abordaje reflexivo amplio y contextualizado. Resultados: lo que se percibe a lo largo de esa ruta histórica es la ruptura de un paradigma importante: no hay restricción de ese problema a la dimensión jurídica y policial, pero la comprensión de la existencia de una relación inevitable entre el uso de drogas y los cambios relativos a la salud. Conclusión: a pesar de todos los avances y logros, lo que de hecho se percibe en los discursos políticos acerca del tema son directrices que se complementan y convergen para la implementación de medidas cada vez más eficaces para hacer frente a ese problema de salud pública. Descriptores: Drogas Ilícitas; Políticas Públicas; Enfermería.

Este artigo discute o fracasso da atual política de repressão e proibição das chamadas "drogas ilícitas". Existe muito mais tabu baseado em pretensos saberes médico-sanitários mesclados com preconceitos e preceitos morais acerca dos perigos da drogadição do que conhecimento real e ações efetivas. Todas as evidências apontam para o fato de que tratar tanto o consumo de drogas quanto o comércio como caso de polícia, como crime, ou mesmo como uma conduta descriminalizada por parte do consumidor, mas fazendo recair toda a reprovação sobre os traficantes, estigmatizados como pessoas quase demoníacas, em nada contribui seja para reduzir o consumo seja para criar um mundo livre de drogas como pretende a ONU. A guerra contra as drogas liderada pelos Estados Unidos, além de desperdiçar vastas somas de dinheiro público e milhares e milhares de vidas humanas ano a ano, não leva em conta a dignidade humana, a racionalidade faz-se ausente e a legitimidade de tal política é erodida em face da crise de autoridade, da violência associada à repressão, da corrupção e de prisões superlotadas. Estas são ameaças ao Estado Democrático de Direito e o temor é que venhamos a repetir no Brasil a tragédia de Canudos se o Exército entrar na arena da luta contra as drogas. ; This article discusses the failure of the current policy for the so called "illicit drugs". There is more taboo based on sanitary and medical assumptions mixed with moral precepts and prejudices about the danger of drug addiction than real knowledge and efficient actions. Evidences show that treating drug intake and drug trade as a police case, as a crime, or even as a conduct that is decriminalized by the consumer whereas the drug dealers are overpenalized, stigmatized and considered demoniac persons do not contribute to reduce consumption nor to create a world free of drugs, as desired by the United Nations. The "war on drugs" led by the United States of America, besides wasting great amounts of public money and thousands of human lives year after year, does not take the human dignity into account. Rationality is absent and the legitimacy of such policy is damaged in view of authority crises, repression-generated violence, corruption and overcrowded prisons. These are menaces to the Democratic State of Law and we fear that the Brazilian State will repeat the tragedy of Canudos if the Army enters the war on drugs.

The article identifies the main types of the rhetoric of drugs in Lithuanian Parliament in 2007-2008. It also reviews a scholarly literature and official documents on drugs policies. The review demonstrates that social scienticts and the United Nations Office policies. Drugs distinguish three main trends in drug policy: control policy, prevention policy and policy mix (control and prevention policy). To analyze the rhetoric of drugs. B. D. Holian's classification of crime rhetoric is used. After conducting a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the transcripts of the Lithuanian Parliament, two types of the rhetoric of drugs were identified: control and punishment rhetoric and prevention and treatment rhetoric. The main topics of the control and piishment rhetoric were related to drug control, punishment for drug possession and war on drugs. The main topics of the prevention and treatment rhetoric included drug education and prevention programs, and treatment for the dependency on illicit drugs. The analyzed data demonstrated that the control and punishment rhetoric was dominant. The word "drugs" was found in 227 context units (the lenght of context unit was 120 words). The control and pinishment rhetoric was found in 218 context units, prevention and treatment rhetoric, in 166 context units.

The article identifies the main types of the rhetoric of drugs in Lithuanian Parliament in 2007-2008. It also reviews a scholarly literature and official documents on drugs policies. The review demonstrates that social scienticts and the United Nations Office policies. Drugs distinguish three main trends in drug policy: control policy, prevention policy and policy mix (control and prevention policy). To analyze the rhetoric of drugs. B. D. Holian's classification of crime rhetoric is used. After conducting a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the transcripts of the Lithuanian Parliament, two types of the rhetoric of drugs were identified: control and punishment rhetoric and prevention and treatment rhetoric. The main topics of the control and piishment rhetoric were related to drug control, punishment for drug possession and war on drugs. The main topics of the prevention and treatment rhetoric included drug education and prevention programs, and treatment for the dependency on illicit drugs. The analyzed data demonstrated that the control and punishment rhetoric was dominant. The word "drugs" was found in 227 context units (the lenght of context unit was 120 words). The control and pinishment rhetoric was found in 218 context units, prevention and treatment rhetoric, in 166 context units.

The article identifies the main types of the rhetoric of drugs in Lithuanian Parliament in 2007-2008. It also reviews a scholarly literature and official documents on drugs policies. The review demonstrates that social scienticts and the United Nations Office policies. Drugs distinguish three main trends in drug policy: control policy, prevention policy and policy mix (control and prevention policy). To analyze the rhetoric of drugs. B. D. Holian's classification of crime rhetoric is used. After conducting a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the transcripts of the Lithuanian Parliament, two types of the rhetoric of drugs were identified: control and punishment rhetoric and prevention and treatment rhetoric. The main topics of the control and piishment rhetoric were related to drug control, punishment for drug possession and war on drugs. The main topics of the prevention and treatment rhetoric included drug education and prevention programs, and treatment for the dependency on illicit drugs. The analyzed data demonstrated that the control and punishment rhetoric was dominant. The word "drugs" was found in 227 context units (the lenght of context unit was 120 words). The control and pinishment rhetoric was found in 218 context units, prevention and treatment rhetoric, in 166 context units.

The article identifies the main types of the rhetoric of drugs in Lithuanian Parliament in 2007-2008. It also reviews a scholarly literature and official documents on drugs policies. The review demonstrates that social scienticts and the United Nations Office policies. Drugs distinguish three main trends in drug policy: control policy, prevention policy and policy mix (control and prevention policy). To analyze the rhetoric of drugs. B. D. Holian's classification of crime rhetoric is used. After conducting a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the transcripts of the Lithuanian Parliament, two types of the rhetoric of drugs were identified: control and punishment rhetoric and prevention and treatment rhetoric. The main topics of the control and piishment rhetoric were related to drug control, punishment for drug possession and war on drugs. The main topics of the prevention and treatment rhetoric included drug education and prevention programs, and treatment for the dependency on illicit drugs. The analyzed data demonstrated that the control and punishment rhetoric was dominant. The word "drugs" was found in 227 context units (the lenght of context unit was 120 words). The control and pinishment rhetoric was found in 218 context units, prevention and treatment rhetoric, in 166 context units.

The article identifies the main types of the rhetoric of drugs in Lithuanian Parliament in 2007-2008. It also reviews a scholarly literature and official documents on drugs policies. The review demonstrates that social scienticts and the United Nations Office policies. Drugs distinguish three main trends in drug policy: control policy, prevention policy and policy mix (control and prevention policy). To analyze the rhetoric of drugs. B. D. Holian's classification of crime rhetoric is used. After conducting a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the transcripts of the Lithuanian Parliament, two types of the rhetoric of drugs were identified: control and punishment rhetoric and prevention and treatment rhetoric. The main topics of the control and piishment rhetoric were related to drug control, punishment for drug possession and war on drugs. The main topics of the prevention and treatment rhetoric included drug education and prevention programs, and treatment for the dependency on illicit drugs. The analyzed data demonstrated that the control and punishment rhetoric was dominant. The word "drugs" was found in 227 context units (the lenght of context unit was 120 words). The control and pinishment rhetoric was found in 218 context units, prevention and treatment rhetoric, in 166 context units.

The article identifies the main types of the rhetoric of drugs in Lithuanian Parliament in 2007-2008. It also reviews a scholarly literature and official documents on drugs policies. The review demonstrates that social scienticts and the United Nations Office policies. Drugs distinguish three main trends in drug policy: control policy, prevention policy and policy mix (control and prevention policy). To analyze the rhetoric of drugs. B. D. Holian's classification of crime rhetoric is used. After conducting a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of the transcripts of the Lithuanian Parliament, two types of the rhetoric of drugs were identified: control and punishment rhetoric and prevention and treatment rhetoric. The main topics of the control and piishment rhetoric were related to drug control, punishment for drug possession and war on drugs. The main topics of the prevention and treatment rhetoric included drug education and prevention programs, and treatment for the dependency on illicit drugs. The analyzed data demonstrated that the control and punishment rhetoric was dominant. The word "drugs" was found in 227 context units (the lenght of context unit was 120 words). The control and pinishment rhetoric was found in 218 context units, prevention and treatment rhetoric, in 166 context units.

Decisions in public policy are not an end in themselves: in general, they are intended to regulate society, i.e. members of society are submitted with particular rights, obligations, possibilities, restrictions, etc. However, in order to know which decisions will reach their addressees best and will allow attaining the result sought, it is necessary for policy makers to know how the society and particular addressees are ready to accept them. Especially this is acute in the field of family policy: here, the decision on family policy instruments is important and may be effective only when it is accepted by families/individuals (especially speaking about instruments aimed at increase of fertility). The article is based on a presumption that communication between policy makers and the society is of a great importance seeking for a purposive public policy. The article is composed of two main parts. The first part presents theoretical background for analysis of communication between decision makers and society in the field of family policy. First, it develops the main characteristics of communication models between policy makers and society in general; highlights possible role of media in different models of the mentioned communication, and, finally, it lists peculiarities in connection with a particular topic of political communication, i.e. communication on the issues of family policy. The second part seeks to disclose the nature and main characteristics of communication between politics and society on the family policy issues in Lithuania. To this end, the article presents a media content analysis covering almost 1000 publication in the most popular internet news website in Lithuania on two issues directly related to family policy: economic and social situation of families with 3 and more children and economic and social guarantees for families with children.[.]