"Vive o bairro!" : A intervenção comunitária como ferramenta da redução de riscos e minimização de danos na Matriz H do Bairro da Flamenga

Abstract

The harm reduction strategy related with drug use has generated diverse experiences of social intervention with strong social impact regarding safer behaviors by the actors to whom it is addressed. In the academy, there is little discussion on the potential of combining harm reduction strategy with community intervention approach, despite the fact that proximity work and network are highlighted as key points of harm reduction model. From our point of view, the two frames of intervention are complementary and especially useful in the context of stigmatized territories. Starting from a harm reduction project carried out in the area of Marvila (Lisbon), we try to put together the pieces of the puzzle, focusing some cultural activities developed in the matrix H located in the neighbourhood of Flamenga. Besides describing the problems and solutions found, we make an effort to evaluate the results that these combined strategies originated.