Drug Reference Center receives more than 32 thousand consultations

March 26, 2024 – 2:48 pm
services reference center SPS

Among the beneficiaries are homeless people and people with problems related to the use of alcohol and other drugs.

“At the Center they gave me confidence, they made me see that I could stop using substances. There I felt welcomed, and I still do”, says Eliane (fictitious name), 50 years old, one of the more than 32 thousand people served by the Drug Reference Center (CRD) in Ceará.

Eliane discovered the equipment after a medical hospitalization process, recommended by a health agent. “As soon as I arrived, I immediately went to talk to the psychologist. She explained to me what the Center was, asked about my history, and said that I would only stay here if I wanted to, that nothing was mandatory, but if I was really interested in giving up drugs, they would be there to support me. Today it’s been more than three years since I’ve used anything and every day is a fight against myself”, she emphasizes.

Currently, Eliane states that she has regained not only her strength in herself, but her self-love and trust and family life. Today she arrives at CRD in Mucuripe and feels at home, surrounded by hugs, memories and words of gratitude. “Often, when I thought about going back, I immediately thought about their work. Because they were very important to me at a time when I needed them most, when I was really fragile. Today I want to be an example for people who have family members like this. To have strength, to help. Don’t criticize, give support, affection. Many times we need a friendly voice, a hug. I arrived here, I felt welcomed, embraced”, she adds.

Managed by the Social Protection Secretariat (SPS), the CRD works to prevent the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs, in addition to serving people in situations of extreme social vulnerability. Services take place from Monday to Friday, at the Mucuripe and Centro de Fortaleza units. The actions are also carried out through Mobile Drug Policy Units, which take services to strategic locations in Fortaleza and the interior. Services began in 2021 and, together, the units account for 32,393 services.

Executive Secretary for Drug Policies, Lidiane Rebouças explains that the approach is carried out according to the voluntariness and decision of the service user. “Sometimes a person even uses substances, has problems with this use, but does not want to go to a detoxification bed, or to a reception unit. She just wants to monitor him at the Drug Reference Center itself. So, we try to accommodate this demand in the best way possible”, she explains.

Main services

Through the CRD, the population in extremely vulnerable situations has access to psychosocial care with a multidisciplinary team; basic hygiene supplies; and referral to the care network (Caps, Detoxification Bed, issuance of documents, Cras, Creas, Centro Pop, Professional qualification courses, IDT and Therapeutic Community).

“When the person arrives, they are welcomed, followed by guidance from professionals from the multidisciplinary team”, explains the executive secretary. The team includes a nurse, social worker, psychologist and nutritionist. “These are people who have been working in drug policy for a while, who have experience, who study this area”, she concludes.

In addition to individualized care, the Space offers collective services, with reflective groups focused on smoking; anxiety; groups of ex-prisoners; and groups of homeless people. When necessary, home visits are also carried out; or referral locations.

The mobile units carry out itinerant active search and monitoring services for users of alcohol and other drugs on streets, squares and bus terminals in the Capital. The service also takes place in the interior, through coordination between the Center and the municipality. During the actions, assistance is provided, supplies are delivered and, if necessary, directions to services are provided.