Formative activity with social educators and caregivers of “Casas Lares” in Londrina-PR: an experience report

Abstract

This article aims to report on an activity carried out with social educators and caregivers of “Casas Lares”, a service provided by the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), focusing on the use of drugs by foster children and adolescents. Based on the identified needs of educators/caregivers, particularly related to their lack of knowledge about drugs and potential management strategies in the context of use, a training program was structured to develop the proposed topic in a theoretical-practical manner, following a Freirean perspective. The approach included group discussions, lectures, and group dynamics, fostering the exchange of experiences and the collective construction of approaches to the problem. Following the intervention, a comprehensive analysis of drug use in institutional shelters was conducted, along with potential management strategies for such situations. This facilitated the enhancement of the work of educators/caregivers, through the construction of collective knowledge, and also enabled recommendations for future interventions.