Coalitions in Action: Brazilian Coalition Trained by CADCA has Lowest Rates of Alcohol Sales to Minors in the Country

Over the past four years, CADCA has provided training and technical assistance to various communities in Brazil, South America’s largest country. Evidence is now emerging about the impact of a coalition CADCA helped form in the city of Pindamonhangaba (“Pinda”), a city of 150,000 inhabitants, in São Paulo State.

During a recent visit by CADCA’s Vice-President for International Programs, Dr. Eduardo Hernández-Alarcón, to community groups in the city of São Paulo, one of Brazil’s leading researchers praised the Pinda coaition’s work to improve its alcohol environment. While selling to minors under the age of 18 years old is illegal in Brazil, the law is generally ignored and there is virtually no enforcement.

The researcher, Dr. Ronaldo Laranjeira of the Federal University of São Paulo, observed that his studies show that the average percentage of outlets that sell to minors in his country is a startling 85 percent. However, he noted, because of the work of the community coalition, Pinda’s rate was only 56 percent, the lowest in Brazil.

Eliane Prado Marcondes, President of the Pinda coalition, noted that they utilized evidence-based strategies which their members learned at CADCA trainings to address the issue of sales of minors.

“We used multiple strategies to address this serious issue” Marcondes stated. “For example, we got the city to place signs in all outlets with the notice that federal law prohibits the sale to minors. We also requested that the local police increase monitoring of all of these establishments. Local church leaders distributed information to their members about the necessity of enforcing the alcohol laws in their neighborhoods and encouraged residents to report violations to the police. Finally, we worked closely with the local business association and municipal authorities to visit all outlets to make them aware of the law and its consequences.”

Pinda coalition Vice President, Father José Júlio Azarito, observed that while he is pleased with the progress Pinda has made to protect its youth, much more needs to be done.

CADCA is currently providing training and technical assistance to several communities in São Paulo state. Dr. Hernández and CADCA trainer Juliana Badaró Langille, herself a native Brazilian, recently completed a week-long visit to Brazil where they provided training to groups in the cities of Tremebé, Taubaté, and Redenção da Serra. Langille, who is the Executive Director of the Community Connections of Brockton coalition in Massachussetts, also conducted two half day trainings for youth.

CADCA’s International Program is supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agency of the U.S. State Department.