Decriminalize consumption and sale, decriminalize all drugs and not only marijuana, clearly define the market for drugs and act on the international level, rather than in isolation, were some of the points in common discussion on “Contributions of youth to the debate on drugs,” conducted by O Globo and Viva Rio, in Rio de Janeiro on December 8th, with the support of Oi Futuro.

“Raise your hand if you use illegal drugs.” Few hands responded to the first call by musician Tico Santa Cruz at the meeting. “Now lift your hand if you know someone who uses illegal drugs.” Then there was a rather big number of raised hands. read more

Foto: Divulgação.

Should the consumption of drugs be legalized? That was one of 50 questions recently asked to 14,000 people, teens and adults, in six South American countries. The research compared perceptions between generations, and was performed by The Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics - IBOPE, commissioned by The Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses - IBASE. In two countries, Bolivia and Paraguay, the results indicate strong rejection, without generational diferences. In Uruguay and Chile, there are significant distances between perceptions of adults and young people, with a greater degree of agreement among young people. Brazil, alongside Argentina, is in a intermediate position, indicating only a trend of greater agreement among young people.

Is it for the youth to question the gap between repressive legislation and current daily presence of the so-called ‘illicit drugs’ in the life of this young generation? An optimistic view would raise the questioning role that youth can play in historical contexts that require change and innovation. A pessimist might look to evoke the conservatism of today’s youth, consumerist and individualistic, more interested in ‘getting along’. In fact, youth is a mirror of society. In times of uncertanty and social fragmentation, the view of parts of the youth also incorportate repressive speeches, contradictory expectations, as well as reflect clashed of values in society.

Read the full text (in Portuguese).