IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 9, Issue 6 Ser. I. (Nov. - Dec .2019), PP 01-09 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/7388-0906010109 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page High School Teacher’s Conceptions On Alcohol And Other Drugs Use In A Public School In Manaus, Brazil Anete Nogueira da Silva 1 , Daniel Cerdeira de Souza 2 , Sonia Maria Lemos 3 Tirza Almeida da Silva 4 , Eduardo Jorge Sant’Ana Honorato 5 Corresponding Author: Anete Nogueira da Silva Abstract: This research is an exploratory study of a qualitative approach. It aimed to know the teachers' conceptions about the use of drugs by high school students of a state public school system in Manaus city, Amazon, Brazil. A semi-structured interview was used with six teachers, three men and three women. The collected data were analyzed using the Bardin content analysis technique. Respondents pointed to the responsibility of the school, family, government, and society as the key factors in preventing drug use, discrimination, and prejudice that still lingers in our society and within the school. They also pointed to the need for a cohesive work with qualified professionals within the school, time available in the school grade, and safety as a favorable condition to develop a good work. It concludes that the support of the teacher, the family member, the state through effective public policies, the society, and the accompaniment of the family together with a specialized professional allied to the resilience of the individual drug user, creates a high possibility of having students prepared to make their choices and have a better quality of life. Keyword: Teachers; Student; Drugs; School. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 17-10-2019 Date of Acceptance: 02-11-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction The use and abuse of licit and illicit drugs has long been a cultural factor, including used in religious rituals and daily celebrations. Given this spread of culture of alcohol and other drug consumption in society, it is necessary to create actions that contribute to minimize the problematic use of drugs (GALDURÓZ et al., 2010). Drug users are discriminated by people who have no knowledge of the cause and are still associated with violence, marginality, and responsibility, thus staying on the fringes of society. So they have no opportunity to be listened to, no opportunity to be reintegrated into society in the labor market, among others, becoming ignored in their basic needs. (Oliveira and Dias, 2010). The school is facing a significant challenge regarding drug use and abuse, and in this perspective, the teacher is in a field of countless difficulties, but still, one can work in a multidisciplinary way within the school organization, with educators; psychologists; school counselor, among others, recognizing the importance of working on the theme of drug use and abuse and preventive care through education (MOREIRA; SILVEIRA; ANDREOLI, 2006). According to Galduróz (et al., 2004), epidemiological surveys conducted by the Brazilian Center for Information on Psychotropic Drugs (CEBRID) with students of primary education report the presence of various psychotropics in schools at different levels and contexts. According to Moreira, Silveira, and Andreoli (2006), in the 1970s, the United Nations (UNESCO) supported work in schools to minimize student drug use, as the school is where most of this public at the age have their first contact with drugs. 1 Psychologist graduated from Nilton University. Postgraduate student in Mental Health, Alcohol and other Drugs from Amazonas State University - UEA. 2 Psychologist, Specialist in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Master in Psychology and Psychosocial Processes at the Federal University of Amazona and PhD in Social Psychology and Culture at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. 3 Psychologist,Adjunct Professor at Amazonas State University. PhD in Collective Health from the Institute of Social Medicine - IMS / UERJ. 4 Psychologist,Professor at Paulista University - UNIP. Master in Psychology from the Federal University of Amazonas. 5 Psychologist, Associate Professor at Amazonas State University. PhD in Child and Women's Health - Sexuality and Gender (Fio Cruz-RJ).