Bolsonaro Decree Excludes Civilian Representatives From Brazil’s Drug Policy Council

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A presidential Decree, published in the July 22nd edition of the Federal Gazette, excludes positions reserved for experts and representatives of civil society, such as doctors, psychologists, and lawyers, from the National Council on Drug Policy (CONAD). One of the council’s roles is to approve the national drug policy plan.

Since its inception in 2006, CONAD comprised 31 representatives, 17 of whom held positions as ministers or were appointed by federal ministries and agencies, in addition to a member of the state drug council. The remaining 13 posts were intended for experts and representatives of civil society, which have now been excluded.

Through the Decree, CONAD now has 14 members, 12 of whom are ministers or appointed by ministries or federal agencies, in addition to two members from state drug agencies.

These are the positions that have ceased to exist:

• Physician, appointed by the Federal Council of Medicine;
• Psychologist, appointed by the Federal Council of Psychology;
• Nurse, appointed by the Federal Nursing Council;
• Social worker, appointed by the Federal Council of Social Service;
• Lawyer, appointed by the Brazilian Bar Association;
• Educator, appointed by the National Council of Education;
• Scientist, appointed by the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science;
• Student, appointed by the National Union of Students.