Fighting the narcos in the streets. An ethnographic study of drug trafficking, women and segregated areas

Abstract

Introduction: this article proposes to reflect on the representations and disputes surrounding the phenomenon of drug trafficking in segregated areas of Argentina. The chosen theoretical perspective favors the analysis of the social meanings of violence in segregated areas. Objective: we analyze the representations and meanings about the problem of drug trafficking displayed by women who manage key community spaces in contexts of poverty: community kitchens, care spaces, etc. Methodology: the methodology used is based on an ethnographic approach, with fieldwork carried out from 2020 to the present. In-depth interviews and observations were carried out. Conclusions: the phenomenon of drug trafficking reinforces the stigmatization of segregated neighborhoods in Argentina, where drug use is perceived as a growing challenge. In this context, drugs not only overburden dining halls and community spaces, but also increase care responsibilities, especially for women. Thus, the problem of drug trafficking highlights social tensions and the need to rethink intervention policies and community care models.