In view of the increasing excessive use of psychoactive substances, in particular the marijuana in the Brazilian reality, the current research had as objective to verify the social representations of communitarian health's agents (ACS's) regarding the marijuana's use. Seventy ACS's, including both male and female genders; with average age of 26 years participated in this study. It was utilized as instruments semi-structured interviews and the Test of Free Association of Words (TALP). The data acquired by the interviews was categorized by the Bardin's analysis of thematic content (1977) whereas the data from the TALP was processed by the Tri-Deux-Mots software through the factorial analysis of correspondence. The obtained results suggested representations of the marijuana as a hallucinogen plants and drug, which can alter the human metabolism. Regarding the consequences on the user's life, the majority of the ACS's objected the attitude of violence, which causes health and family problems; and thus contributing to the initiation to drug's use and addiction. In conclusion, it is important the intervention of the ACS's on the preventive health education with the goal of decrease the excessive use of drugs.
Marijuana; Communitarian agents of health; Social representations
