The present work discusses the insertion of the psychologist in preventive works on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Brazilian epidemiological data on drug consumption are analyzed and alcohol abuse is characterized as a serious problem of public health in our country. It is shows that, as in other population segments, university students’ alcohol and other drugs abuse requires the development of specific preventive actions. A workshop to reduce the harms associated to alcohol abuse in university students is described and the fundamental basis of harm reduction strategies are stressed. Finally, the work emphasizes the importance of the psychologist’s insertion in this area and the imperative need of technically capacitating psychologists, not only with respect to clinical practice, but also to develop preventive actions.
Psychologist; Prevention; Alcoholism