Harm Reduction for Basuco Use Requires Addressing Violence and Social Exclusion

A comprehensive ethnographic study conducted over eleven months with people who consume basuco and experience homelessness in central Bogotá reveals that effective harm reduction must extend beyond medical interventions. The research demonstrates that addressing substance use requires tackling interconnected issues including violence, stigma, social exclusion, and lack of safe spaces. This integrated approach recognizes that people struggling with basuco addiction face complex health and social challenges that demand multifaceted public health responses. The findings underscore the importance of trauma-informed care and creating supportive community environments for vulnerable populations.