Next to the entrance to Setor Carnavalesco Sul, a space installed in the Setor Comercial Sul de Brasília, in the center of the capital, a stand draws attention. Called the harm reduction space, an area provides water, food, glucose and rest space to intoxicated people during the carnival in Brasilia.
“We work on self-care through natural detoxification,” explains activist Beatryz Madelayne, who defines herself as a harm-reducing trans woman. “Have you had an extra cachacinha or consumed some substance, come and rest here for a few minutes.”
Beatrys Madelayne is part of the harm reduction team, by Antonio Cruz/Agência Brasil
Space doesn’t just help intoxicated people. Anyone suffering from foot pain or discomfort associated with the sun or crowding can also rest in the area. Harm reducers also promote safe sex by providing condoms and lubricating gel.
Enlargement
A police action on Saturday night (18) in Setor Carnavalesco Sul, which dispersed an attempt to invade the area of the block with pepper spray, made the space expand the damage reduction strategy. Since Sunday (19), activists have provided sparkling water with lemon and vinegar to people affected by pepper spray.
“On Saturday night, this place was filled with people intoxicated by the gas that descended and took over the Southern Commercial Sector”, says Madelayne. “We had to adapt our actions to police violence.”
In addition to the Southern Commercial Sector, informed the activist, there are harm reduction spaces in at least four carnival spots in the Federal District: Brazlândia, Ceilândia, Paranoá and Vila Planalto. According to Madelayne, the group, which was born around 20 years ago to reduce damage caused by the consumption of synthetic drugs at raves, expands its activities to carnival and the periphery. “The highest rate of alcohol consumption is on the outskirts. In addition to class A raves, we perform in samba and carnival”, highlights Madelayne.
Until the end of this afternoon, the revelry in Setor Carnavalesco Sul occurred without incident. On the Amstel stage, Bloco Divindades performed electronic music and aerial acrobatics. A rain of about 20 minutes made the revelers run under the marquees in the area. The public, however, returned to the front of the stage as soon as the storm passed.
Publicist Vinícius Pontes, 25 years old, Setor Carnavalesco Sul praised the infrastructure of the place, mainly the damage reduction space. For him, the area helps to prevent cases of harassment of drunk or intoxicated revelers, mainly women. “In the post-pandemic period, a psychological and social space is needed, not only in cases of intoxication, but also in cases of harassment”, says the reveler.
