Justice Department conducts educational action against drugs for UFPA students
Activity highlighted the importance of prevention against the use of chemical substances and products such as electronic cigarettes
By Igor Oliveira (SEJU)
24/06/2025 10h56
Action on the UFPA campus highlighted the importance of prevention against the use of chemical substances, especially among young people
The State Department of Justice (Seju) held an educational drug prevention action on Monday (23) in Belém for students of the Social Work course at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The initiative is part of the "Prevention 360º" project, which uses an integrated approach of various social and psychological factors to raise awareness about the risks of chemical dependency and strengthen individuals against external pressures to consume drugs.
The action was promoted by the Coordination of Prevention, Treatment, and Reduction of Drug Use (Cenpren), linked to Seju, and also encouraged debate among participants about the importance of developing socio-emotional skills, especially among young people, as a way to prevent the use of chemical substances.
Mateus Garcia, from Cenpren/Seju, advised on the significant health risks
During the meeting, Mateus Garcia, damage reduction manager at Cenpren, highlighted the risks of using electronic cigarettes, the ban on their manufacture and sale in Brazil, and the misconception that it is a less harmful product to health than conventional cigarettes.
"The electronic device contains more harmful substances, including the presence of lead, nickel, and other heavy metals in the battery solution that is used to vaporize the liquid to be inhaled," he explains.
Participants received informational material about the consequences of electronic cigarettes
According to research from the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) released this June, one in nine Brazilian adolescents claims to use electronic cigarettes. Furthermore, the study indicates that the number of young users of electronic cigarettes is already five times the total of those who smoke traditional cigarettes.
Lorrana Duarte, Social Work student, approved of Seju's initiative: "It is an important action for the academic community"
Social Work student Lorrana Duarte emphasized the importance of being informed about the risks of drug consumption. "Cenpren's action is important for the academic community and necessary to raise awareness among the population about the dangers that these substances pose to the user and also to those who live with them, as they are exposed to the proven risks that they (the substances) represent to health."
