Opinions and feelings of Psychology students about the use of illicit substances

• Grant number: 22/16514-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Social Psychology
• Principal Investigator: Ari Fernando Maia
• Grantee: Andres Mateo Urquieta Pinaya
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Since the so-called "war on drugs" began in the 1980s, advertising and most news on substances use links users to crime, displacing or preventing the discussion of public policies and health care strategies, promotion of quality life and respect for human rights. In Psychology training, the issue must be addressed by focusing on health care and social assistance strategies, respecting rights and clarifying stereotypes related to the theme, but there is the possibility that the training does not change the feelings of fear and rejection mobilized by advertising of war on drugs. The objective of this investigation is to analyze the conceptions of students in the fourth and fifth years of the Psychology course about drug users and drug use. The hypothesis is that the ideology of fear persists to some extent, despite the training giving priority to the health dimension and the rights of users. The methodology uses forms sent over the internet and fictitious narratives that participants must evaluate in terms of the feelings and opinions mobilized.