Viana, Manuela Trindade; Telles, Ana Clara; Lage, Victor Coutinho. (2023) Drugs, Violence And Racism: The Limits Of Alternatives, Alternatives At The Limit. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Puc-Rio. ISBN (e-book): 978-85-8006-295-3 | Viana, Manuela Trindade; Telles, Ana Clara; Lage, Victor Coutinho. (2023) Drogas, Violência e Racismo: As Alternativas no Limite, Os Limites das Alternativas. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Puc-Rio. ISBN (e-book): 978-85-8006-295-3

Abstract

The book "Drugs, Violence and Racism: Alternatives at the Limit, the Limits of Alternatives" aims to present a new perspective on the War on Drugs in the Americas, bringing the debate into the reality of Brazilian urban peripheries. The central argument of the book is that, after years of punitive and prohibitionist policies, it is time to engage in dialogue with those who suffer the daily consequences of the War on Drugs — the residents of these marginalized communities. Given that decades of military operations across the continent have failed to produce the expected results, and that we continue to witness civilians losing their lives in environments associated with drug trafficking simply because they live in those areas or because of the color of their skin, the authors present initiatives developed through cooperation between the state and community leaders in Brazil’s peripheries, specifically those in the state of Rio de Janeiro.