NGO Arco launches harm reduction campaign on synthetic drugs
challenge Talk about harm reduction with care, informing without judging.
NGO Arco launches harm reduction campaign on synthetic drugs
October campaign aims to help young people reduce risks
In October and November, NGO Arco is launching the awareness campaign “Harm Reduction: Conscious Fun” for the community. The six-week initiative will run mainly on digital platforms to inform, raise awareness and promote harm reduction practices related to the recreational use of synthetic drugs. The target audience is young people aged 16 to 30 who go to parties and festivals. NGO Arco is leading the way in education for safety and autonomy in this context.
The campaign takes a non-punitive approach that acknowledges social reality and the need to minimize the risk of accidents and vulnerability. The goal is to give young people concrete information so they can make informed, safe choices. “Our role is not to judge, but to save lives. When we deny that drug use happens, we push young people toward risk. With ‘Conscious Fun’, we provide practical tools so they can protect themselves, promoting autonomy and self-care. This is an essential public health policy in any party setting,” says Carlos Santos, co-founder and president of NGO Arco, from Bahia, whose mission is to ensure access to health, promote equity and transform communities through empowerment and support.
The campaign debunks myths, pushes back against the way the media romanticizes drug use and will share real testimonials. It will also launch the “Digital Harm Reduction Kit”, a set of practical guidelines on hydration, breaks and what to do in an emergency.
Text: Ana, Sara Silva Beneti and Sophia (translated from Portuguese)