Portraits on the crack user built by the media.

Cristine Moraes Roos,Nathália Duarte Bard,Agnes Olschowsky,Aline Basso Da Silva,Leandro Barbosa De Pinho

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0826

Cristine Moraes Roos, Nathália Duarte Bard + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0826

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Abstract

evaluate how the crack user is portrayed by the media. qualitative study, using fourth generation evaluation. The data were collected in interviews and field observations in a mental health network service of the Porto Alegre-RS metropolitan area. The participants were 10 users, 11 family members, 08 health service professionals and 07 managers. the findings revealed that media relates the crack user profile to violence, crime and disease, which does not correspond to the reality experienced in the health service. This image disregards the different ways of using the drug and the different productions of life of these individuals, increasing social exclusion and stigma. The challenge is to build shared, integrated, clear and honest information.

Highlights

In Brazil, the mass media, through constant exposure and exploitation of violence situations linked to drug use and trafficking, produce fear and indignation in the population
Such alarmist speech produces a negative image of the drug user and the introjection of the need for security actions and punishment to those inadequately inserted into the capitalist consumption logic
Ethical aspects Ethical principles were ensured in accordance with Resolution No 466/2012 of the National Health Council of the Brazilian Ministry of Health(9), and the project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (CONEP UFRGS)

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, the mass media, through constant exposure and exploitation of violence situations linked to drug use and trafficking, produce fear and indignation in the population Such alarmist speech produces a negative image of the drug user and the introjection of the need for security actions and punishment to those inadequately inserted into the capitalist consumption logic. Marginalized minorities are generally the population living in outlying ghettos, as well as the traffickers themselves, and this population is composed of black and northeastern migrant people of low income or in actual misery(2-4) This emphasis on violence change the focus that should be directed to the conditions of social vulnerability, inequality and extreme poverty, contributing to the production of crime and engaging in a “micro-management” of small fears and permanent insecurity(5). Some statements, such as “all users get addicted in their first use,” “every cracker (especially the poor ones) becomes a criminal,” and “women end up prostituting themselves to support addiction,” come from mediatization of culture on drugs, especially presented by television that conveys negative symbolic forms about crack(6-7)

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