Multi-professionalism related challenges in the implementation of harm reduction strategies at the Center for Psychosocial Attention to Users of Alcohol and Other Drugs

Abstract

The article focuses on the implementation of the Harm Reduction strategy by multiprofessional teams in the Centers for Psychosocial Attention to Users of Alcohol and other Drugs (CAPS AD) at the Brazilian Federal District. Based on theoretical propositions from the fields of policy implementation and sociology of professions, it sought to reflect upon the implications of different professional perspectives about the concept of Harm Reduction, and its translation into practice, for the aims of the Ministry of Health Care Policy for Alcohol and Other Drugs Users and its beneficiaries. Our study is supported by empirical research involving qualitative fieldwork on the seven units of CAPS AD in the Federal District. Our findings suggest that: (1) there is substantive variation in the way CAPS AD professionals interpret and practice harm reduction principles; (2) this variation is associated with professional education in distinct fields of knowledge (psychosocial versus biomedical); and (3) divergences among professionals may result in conflicts and produce negative consequences for service users. We also discuss the means by which service managers seek to mitigate those negative implications. These findings contribute to broader reflections on the challenges for sustainability of the Caps AD model.