Do From the fight against drugs to skin color and social class

what is the impact on the lives of marginalized groups, and who suffers the most from this fight?

Abstract

Slavery in Brazil left deep marks of racism and social exclusion that still persist and affect the lives of Black and peripheral populations. Even after abolition, the Black population remained marginalized, without governmental support or inclusion in social spheres, resulting in social-racial segregation. The association between poverty, criminality, and Blackness perpetuates negative stigmas, with direct effects on the marginalization of these populations. Based on qualitative and quantitative methods and documentary analysis, this research examines the treatment of marginalized populations and highlights the State’s failure to guarantee basic rights such as work and housing. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the neglect of police authorities in peripheral areas, where the lack of job opportunities leads many to engage in drug dealing. The research also criticizes drug control policies which, instead of effectively combating drug trafficking, focus on peripheral populations—especially in the case of marijuana—in a prejudiced manner. Drug policies and mass incarceration have a disproportionate impact on Black populations, exacerbating social and economic inequalities. The fight against drug trafficking often turns into a war against social class and skin color, reflecting the slaveholding roots of Brazilian society. The study questions the effectiveness of public policies and identifies structural racism as a central factor in the perpetuation of inequalities, revealing the urgent need for inclusive policies and anti-racist measures.