When these photos were taken, 20 years after of the arrival of crack cocaine in Brazil, more than 2000 people (including some 400 children) would congregate every night in Sao Paulo’s Luz neighbourhood (popularly known as ‘Cracolandia’) to deal and smoke crack cocaine. There was little help for them then, and the lawless neighbourhood was referred to as ‘Brazil’s shame.’

If anything, the crack cocaine epidemic in Brazil has become far worse in the intervening years and there are now many ‘Cracolandias,’ in other cities and around the country. Only last year a study estimated that one of every three people that ended up in Sao Paulo’s ‘Cracolandia’ died a violent death within five years. However, since 2013 there have been attempts to clean up the neighbourhood. Critics have called the attempts cosmetic, but supporters say that it is a genuine attempt to treat people. Unfortunately for many of those who do receive treatment, as a compulsory or voluntary measure, there are very few options open to them when they complete it. Most of the people who have lived in ‘Cracolandia’ come from violent or abusive backgrounds, and many have already dealt with addiction within their own families. Going home is not always an option, and ‘Cracolandia’ is just around the corner.