Drug Policy in Brazil a descriptive analysis of repressive policies
This case study seeks to understand a significant part of the drug policy implemented in Brazil, focusing on its repressive part, i.e., that which is responsible for seizing prohibited substances and arresting those involved in their trade defined by law as illicit.
This aspect is chosen because it is a central aspect of public policy, from any point of view, either because of the resources employed or because of the relevance of journalistic coverage or cultural products that portray the drug issue. In the news there are daily photos of cocaine, crack and marijuana organized on a table, usually accompanied by a little money, possibly a scale and almost invariably a coat of arms indicating the battalion responsible for the seizure. As for the resources employed, there is no doubt about the cost of prohibition. As an example, it is estimated that in 2017 the state of São Paulo spent R$ 5.3 billion (in present value), about 9.3% of the entire budget spent on the criminal justice system, or about 1.6% of the total state budget. The points mentioned demonstrate the relevance of criminal repression of drug trafficking. But there are several social aspects, which when analyzing the lives of individuals and families affected by the repression policy are addressed and demonstrate that to some extent spending on repression brings losses to families.