Abstract
It is an integrative literature review that aimed to find and identify policy actions taken in different ways that seek to harm reduction for drug users in articles published in scientific journals. To collect the data descriptors were used: Crack, cocaine, marijuana, and health policy in the databases LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences) and ADOLEC (Database of Adolescent Health). Inclusion criteria were: Articles that discuss the subject area of drugs, theoretical issues, policies and practices, complete, available online, free and published in the period 1999 to 2011. The sample consisted of 10 studies of both bases. The results showed the complexity regarding the political actions of different countries. In each country the action was characterized according to their characteristics and cultures of the population. It is concluded that the existing body of research on public health policies aimed at controlling drug use contains a number of limitations that hinder the practices targeted in health and contribute to our current inability to promote strategies and minimize the damage related to this theme.