“It is an honor to be here at the Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro [Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro]—IPUB—to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Chacruna Institute. It is especially meaningful to do so in this setting, which is dedicated to mental health care, the generation of knowledge, and the training of professionals who work at the intersection of science and human suffering.
For us at the Brazilian Psychedelic Association [Associação Psicodélica do Brasil]—APB, being here today is, above all, a celebration of a friendship that has transcended borders. A friendship that began even before the early days of the Chacruna Institute, through the NEIP—Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Psychoactive Substances [Núcleo de Estudos Interdisciplinares sobre Psicoativos]—thanks to the involvement of two of our founders, Sandro Rodrigues and Fernando Beserra. While the Chacruna Institute was beginning its work in the United States, the APB was starting its journey on the streets of Lapa, in Rio de Janeiro, amid workshops, marijuana marches, and the dream of building a fairer and more humane drug policy.
These past 10 years have not been easy. And they are not easy now. We are living through a particularly delicate moment for drug policy in Latin America. We are watching with concern as old interventionist mindsets resurface—with actions by the United States in various Latin American countries, under justifications that disregard our sovereignty, our histories, our science, and our care strategies.
In Brazil, a recent measure by the Trump administration designated the First Capital Command [Primeiro Comando da Capital] and the Red Command [Comando Vermelho] as terrorist organizations—a policy that, beyond its symbolic significance, has concrete and troubling implications throughout Brazil and Latin America. This is because, by classifying organized crime as terrorism, dangerous precedents are set for the criminalization of social movements, marginalized communities, and an entire historical struggle that has always sought to address the drug issue from the perspective of public health, human rights, and harm reduction.
It is in this challenging landscape that the work of organizations such as the Chacruna Institute and APB becomes even more essential. Because, while prohibitionism advances with its war rhetoric, we remain steadfast in building an alternative narrative: one grounded in science, ancestral knowledge, the experiences of users, and the conviction that psychedelics and forest medicines/maestra medicines can be understood, protected, and honored—rather than stigmatized and persecuted.
Discover the Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative of the Americas
The Chacruna Institute has been instrumental in this process. With its high-quality scientific research, its ability to make knowledge accessible, and its tireless advocacy for psychedelic justice—amplifying the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, Black and marginalized communities, and those from the Global South. You have taught us that the bridge between traditional ceremonial use and emerging psychedelic science is not only possible—it is necessary.
“The Chacruna Institute has been instrumental in this process … You have taught us that the bridge between traditional ceremonial use and emerging psychedelic science is not only possible—it is necessary.”
And APB, for its part, has been working on the ground in the real Brazil—in harm reduction at events and in communities, in integrative psychotherapy, in training professionals, and in the fight for a drug policy that respects cognitive freedom and human rights. And together, we have learned that regional coordination is our greatest asset.
May organizations in Latin America, when they act jointly and in a coordinated manner, be able to develop powerful responses to the challenges we all face.
“May organizations in Latin America, when they act jointly and in a coordinated manner, be able to develop powerful responses to the challenges we all face.”
Thus, our parallel paths have found common ground, opportunities for joint action, and inter-institutional support, united by a shared purpose: a world where entheogens and psychedelics are integrated into our social, legal, and health systems—in equitable, fair, and respectful ways.
May the next 10 years find us even more united. May Latin America—with its struggles, its hardships, and its strengths—play an increasingly prominent role in this field. And may the friendship between the Chacruna Institute and the APB continue to be, as it has been until now, an example of how mutual trust and collaboration can flourish even in the most barren of lands.
“May the next 10 years find us even more united. May Latin America—with its struggles, its hardships, and its strengths—play an increasingly prominent role in this field. And may the friendship between the Chacruna Institute and the APB continue to be, as it has been until now, an example of how mutual trust and collaboration can flourish even in the most barren of lands.”
Congratulations, Chacruna Institute, on this decade of courage, achievements, impact, and cooperation. You can count on the Brazilian Psychedelic Association. And here’s to the next 10 years—with more justice and more hope. The Chacruna Institute has been instrumental in this process. With its high-quality scientific output, its ability to make knowledge accessible, and its tireless advocacy for psychedelic justice—amplifying the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, Black people, those living in the periphery, and people from the Global South.”
Art by Fernanda Cervantes.
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