Licit and illicit drugs: from international agreements to Brazilian legislation

Abstract

The goal of this article was to discuss about the drugs in the international and in Brazilian scenarios, emphasizing international agreements related to the phenomenon and the Brazilian legislation about the theme. Among Latin American countries, Brazil is considered as a country of medium consumption of illicit drugs, and also as a country of drugs transit. Considering the licit drugs the consumption of alcohol drinks, especially among young people, is a public health problem, as well as the use of tobacco. Based on the analysis of Brazilian legislation on illicit drugs, it can be observed a transformation from prohibitive rules to a less repressive system concerning drug users. Besides these initiatives, there are several government actions aiming at controlling the use of licit drugs such as tobacco and alcohol.

Descriptors: Street Drugs; Alcoholism; Tobacco; Legislation.