ABSTRACT
Objective:
Understanding the impact of drug abuse by a child in the family environment.
Methods:
This is a qualitative research with a phenomenological approach, with 11 parents and guardians of children and adolescents whom use crack and other drugs followed at a referral center. The interviews were recorded; and data, transcribed and analyzed on the phenomenological perspective.
Results:
After the phenomenological description, reduction and understanding, the results and discussion were based on the category "Understanding the impact of drug abuse by children and adolescents within families".
Discussion:
The research allowed us to understand situations of emotional frailties, behavioral, socioeconomic and relational phenomenon of drug abuse by children and adolescents and their families, revealing conflicts and weaknesses.
Conclusion and implications for practice:
The development of actions that meet individual and collective needs contributes to the planning of intersectoral actions to minimize the suffering of families and children.
Keywords:
Mental health; Cocaine; Crack; Child; Adolescents; Family