Psychotria fractistipula L.B.Sm, R.M. Klein & Delprete (Rubiaceae) is found in the existing Atlantic Forest in the South of Brazil, in the Paraná and Santa Catarina States. The members of Rubiaceae are characterized chemically by the presence of alkaloids, some pharmacological properties of which include antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, and antiviral activities. In this study, we report the results of anatomical, morphological, and histochemical analyses of the leaves and stems of the Rubiaceae family member, P. fractistipula. The anatomical analysis involved of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Morpho-anatomical and histochemical characterization were made using standard methodology. The isolated compounds were identified by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopic analysis. The following structures are highlighted as the distinctive features of the species: presence of petiolate leaves and a petiole base, leaf blade with smooth cuticle on both surfaces, paracytic stomata, and, dorsiventral mesophyll and presence of trichomes on the leaves and stems. Phytosteroids, identified as β-sitosterol and campesterol, were observed in the hexane fraction of the stem. Future studies should focus on the isolation of other fractions of interest and their characterization through specific biological and cytotoxicity assays.

À luz de considerações científicas sobre o abuso de drogas, discute-se a ideologia dos textos sobre drogas que seguem uma orientação moralista e repressora, a despeito das condições sócio-históricas do consumo. Colocam-se em foco os sentidos não-literais para situar tais discursos no contexto da sua produção e para detectar neles formas de manutenção de poder presentes nas relações sociais. Utiliza-se a teoria da análise do discurso como a metodologia apropriada para se desvendar os indicadores da ideologia que impõe aos textos sobre drogas uma determinada modalidade. Os resultados revelam um discurso com propósitos claramente persuasivos, direcionando e manipulando modos de ser e de ver na sociedade, deixando-se interpretar como parte interessada em um pesado sistema de conformismo social. Conclui-se que a questão das drogas não é tratada em si, mas enquanto mito construído, usado para combater série de desvios da ordem social vigente.

The ideological contents of the literature on drug consumption and addiction with a moralistic and enforcement approach are analysed from a scientific and public health point of view. A non-literal sense is brought out so that the discourse may be understood in its original context and its links with the forms of power present in social relations. The theory of discourse analysis is used as the appropriate methodology by which the ideological indicators that impose on the texts on drugs a predetermined bias are to be found. The results clearly reveal a persuasive discourse that has the propose of directing and manipulating ways of being and seeing in society, allowing the authors to be seen as interested parties in a heavy-handed system for the maintenance "of the social status quo". The conclusion is that in these tests, it is not really the drug question in itself that is dealt with, but rather a mythical construction, used do combat social deviation.

À luz de considerações científicas sobre o abuso de drogas, discute-se a ideologia dos textos sobre drogas que seguem uma orientação moralista e repressora, a despeito das condições sócio-históricas do consumo. Colocam-se em foco os sentidos não-literais para situar tais discursos no contexto da sua produção e para detectar neles formas de manutenção de poder presentes nas relações sociais. Utiliza-se a teoria da análise do discurso como a metodologia apropriada para se desvendar os indicadores da ideologia que impõe aos textos sobre drogas uma determinada modalidade. Os resultados revelam um discurso com propósitos claramente persuasivos, direcionando e manipulando modos de ser e de ver na sociedade, deixando-se interpretar como parte interessada em um pesado sistema de conformismo social. Conclui-se que a questão das drogas não é tratada em si, mas enquanto mito construído, usado para combater série de desvios da ordem social vigente.

The ideological contents of the literature on drug consumption and addiction with a moralistic and enforcement approach are analysed from a scientific and public health point of view. A non-literal sense is brought out so that the discourse may be understood in its original context and its links with the forms of power present in social relations. The theory of discourse analysis is used as the appropriate methodology by which the ideological indicators that impose on the texts on drugs a predetermined bias are to be found. The results clearly reveal a persuasive discourse that has the propose of directing and manipulating ways of being and seeing in society, allowing the authors to be seen as interested parties in a heavy-handed system for the maintenance "of the social status quo". The conclusion is that in these tests, it is not really the drug question in itself that is dealt with, but rather a mythical construction, used do combat social deviation.