Evidence-based science in public policies for reinventing alcohol and drugs use prevention

Abstract

The evidence-based public policies need to address the social vulnerabilities in order to overcome the inequities. This narrative literature review analyzes the challenges of adaptation in the dissemination of the evidence-based alcohol and drugs prevention practices within the context of the Brazilian public policies. The critique of existing models is based on the theories of “Diffusion of Innovations” (Rogers) and “Implementation of the evidence-based practices” (Aarons et al). We concluded that the implantation of an evidence-based preventive action, if culturally not relevant, risks not impacting on the vulnerabilities. The adaptations may promote higher levels of acceptance and adhesion. In spite of that, if those adaptations are performed without the evidence base, they may reduce the effectiveness, as well as de-characterize the innovation, ending up in the reproduction of the inequities it aimed to reduce.