Perceptions and Practices of Professionals in Primary Health Care in the Approach of Drug Use

ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyze the perceptions of the professionals of Primary Health Care (PHC) in relation to prevention practices and the approach to users of alcohol and other drugs, raising challenges and possibilities of PHC. Through focus groups, 18 PHC practitioners of a city of small / medium-sized state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, participated. The results suggest that there is a general opinion in favor of preventive practices, but the focus is on curative practices; limited user participation in preventive activities; difficulties in approaching drug users; work overload, lack of engagement of doctors; insufficient health care coverage; lack of support management, among other factors that hinder the development of preventive actions and the approach of drug users.