Emergencies and rescues: The logics of vulnerability and care among drug users in Buenos Aires, Argentina

This article addresses the informal practices of care among drug users from vulnerable populations in Buenos Aires, within a context of economic crisis, criminalization, and marginalization. Based on ethnographic research carried out since 2001, I argue that this set of practices, knowledge, and social networking known locally as "rescuing" seek to minimize bodily harms, harm to relationships, as well as to reduce threats to survival. This analysis shows how this logic of care varies according to the type of substance consumed, gender, socioeconomic status, social capital, access to institutions, family networks, and life trajectories. Finally, the development of this logic of care for drug use based on rescuing practices, allows us to understand the relationships between structural transformations and everyday life through the processes the privatization of care and the politicization of suffering.Fil: Epele, Maria E.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

O tratamento como palimpsesto: Quando a medicalização transforma se em critica politicamente correta

Diversas revisiones y reformulaciones de la medicalización, desde su definición en la década de los setenta, han puesto en evidencia su carácter múltiple y diverso, y sus diferentes características de acuerdo con los géneros, edades, etnias, clases sociales y lugar geopolítico de las poblaciones consideradas. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar, a través de las relaciones entre el tratamiento y el trato en contextos de crisis, ciertas dimensiones del proceso de medicalización en países por fuera del arco euro-norteamericano. Más específicamente, y partiendo de la noción de trato, los procesos de elaboración de “nuevos” tratamientos sobre “nuevos” problemas al ritmo acelerado de condiciones de emergencia, muestran su carácter de montaje entre diversos modos de tratar expertos y legos. La noción de palimpsesto permite modelizar a estos tratamientos como un montaje entre fragmentos heterogéneos, que se corresponden con diferentes regímenes de verdad-autoridad, genealogías y cronologías. Finalmente, abordar la avanzada de los sistemas expertos sobre “nuevos problemas”, a través de la noción de palimpsesto promueve, a su vez, el cuestionamiento de la linealidad, homogeneidad, universalidad de la medicalización, y la revisión de su estatuto crítico.Several revisions and reformulations of medicalization notion showed it as a multiple and complex process, with particular characteristics according to gender, ages, ethnic identities, social classes, and the geopolitical role of the target populations. Based on the analysis of the relationships between treatment (bio-scientific / psychiatric-psychological) and the mode to treat (trato) in contexts of crisis, the objective of this article is to exam several dimensions of the medicalization process in countries outside the euro-american arch. Taking as a point of departure Ulloa’s notion of way to treat (trato), the analysis of the processes of submitting “new” problems under expert health system, shows that “new” treatments are montages of diverse ways to treat, expert and lay knowledge and practices. The notion of palimpsest allows us to modelize these treatments as montages among heterogeneous fragments, engendered by different truth-authority regimes, genealogies and chronologies. Finally, this approach based on the palimpsest model, questions the lineality, homogeneity and universality enclosed in the notion of medicalization, as well as its critical status.Várias revisões e reformulações sobre a medicalização a partir de sua definição na década de 70 revelaram seu caráter múltiplo e diverso, bem como suas características diferentes de acordo com o sexo, idade, grupo étnico, classe social e localização geopolítica das populações consideradas. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar, através da relação entre o tratamento e o trato em um contexto de crise, certos aspectos do processo de medicalização em países que estão por fora da esfera euramericana. De forma mais específica e baseado na noção de trato, os processos de elaboração dos “novos” tratamentos sobre “novos” problemas para o ritmo acelerado de condições de emergência, mostram seu caráter de montagem entre diversos modos especialistas e leigos de tratar. A noção de palimpsesto permite modelar esses tratamentos como uma montagem entre fragmentos heterogêneos, que correspondem a diferentes regimes de verdade-autoridade, genealogias e cronologias. Finalmente, abordar o avanço dos sistemas especialistas sobre “novos problemas”, através da noção de palimpsesto promove, por sua vez, o questionamento da linearidade, homogeneidade, universalidade da medicalização e a revisão de seu estatuto crítico.Fil: Epele, Maria E.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Sobre o Cuidado de Outros em Contextos de Pobreza, Uso de Drogas e Marginalização

A coordenação temporária entre a rápida extensão do consumo de Pasta Base/Paco (PB/Paco) e a extrema crise econômico-política (2001-2002) na Argentina promoveu profundas modificações nas redes sociais, nas características corporais e nos problemas de saúde das populações marginalizadas. Partindo dos resultados da pesquisa etnográfica em três bairros e favelas da área metropolitana de Buenos Aires, analiso neste trabalho as características e as tensões das práticas e dos saberes localmente categorizados como "cuidado de outros", sendo estes outros, usuários/as de drogas em geral e de PB/Paco. Através da análise dos desenvolvimentos em ciências sociais e antropologia sobre a temática do cuidado nas últimas décadas, neste artigo examino os modos com que tais práticas e saberes expressam os conflitos e os encerramentos gerados pelas tensões entre as tradições locais de cuidado e os modos institucionais de abordar o uso problemático de drogas e de tratar seus/suas usuários/as.The temporary relationship between the rapid spread of freebase cocaine/paco (PB/paco) and the extreme political-economic crisis (2001-2002) in Argentina engendered deep changes to the social networks, bodily characteristics and health issues of marginalized populations. The present article is based on ethnographic research that I carried out in three neighborhoods (villas) located in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. Here, I analyze the characteristics of practices and knowledge locally categorized as "care towards others", specifically drug users and, most specifically, PB/paco users. Taking as my point of departure the problematization of care in the social sciences and anthropology during the last decades, this paper examines the ways in which these practices and knowledge express conflicts and entrapments generated by the tensions between local traditions of care, on the one hand, and institutional strategies orientated to intensive drug use and modes of treating drug users, on the other.Fil: Epele, Maria E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Environmental Quality and Aquatic Invertebrate Metrics Relationships at Patagonian Wetlands Subjected to Livestock Grazing Pressures

Livestock grazing can compromise the biotic integrity and health of wetlands, especially in remotes areas like Patagonia, which provide habitat for several endemic terrestrial and aquatic species. Understanding the effects of these land use practices on invertebrate communities can help prevent the deterioration of wetlands and provide insights for restoration. In this contribution, we assessed the responses of 36 metrics based on the structural and functional attributes of invertebrates (130 taxa) at 30 Patagonian wetlands that were subject to Different levels of livestock grazing intensity. These levels were categorized as low, medium and high based on eight features (livestock stock densities plus seven wetland measurements). Significant changes in environmental features were detected across the gradient of wetlands, mainly related to pH, conductivity, and nutrient values. Regardless of rainfall gradient, symptoms of eutrophication were remarkable at some highly disturbed sites. Seven invertebrate metrics consistently and accurately responded to livestock grazing on wetlands. All of them were negatively related to increased levels of grazing disturbance,with the number of insect families appearing as the most robust measure. Amultivariate approach (RDA) revealed that invertebrate metrics were significantly affected by environmental variables related to water quality: in particular, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations, and the richness and coverage of aquatic plants. Our results suggest that the seven aforementioned metrics could be used to assess ecological quality in the arid and semi-arid wetlands of Patagonia, helping to ensure the creation ofprotected areas and their associated ecological servicesFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; Argentin

Temporal dynamic of invertebrate and aquatic plant communities at three intermittent ponds in livestock grazed Patagonian wetlands

Ponds are worldwide recognized as biodiversity hotspots, nevertheless in Patagonia are still needed studies that reveal the composition and the status of their communities. This paper analyses the temporal patterns of aquatic invertebrates and assesses the environmental factors that best predict the variation in community structure at three small intermittent ponds, subjected to ranching practices (summer stocking) in the Patagonia steppe. Variables identified as important in structuring community assemblages were related to environmental conditions (rainfall and water temperature), chemical features (conductivity and pH) and biotic factors (macrophyte coverage). During the connected phase only a small number of invertebrate species were present, in contrast to the 11 taxa that were frequent and abundant during isolated period (Eucyclops chilensis, Hyalella curvispina, and Rhionaeschna sp. were the dominant ones). In this sequence the submersed Myriophyllum quitense and Lilaeopsis macloviana played a crucial role offering habitat and food resources. The present study provides valuable information that can contribute to minimize the environmental damage and to develop strategies for the conservation of Patagonian wetlands.Fil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; ArgentinaFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónicas; Argentin

On Arguments and the Arguing Process: Treatments Based on Speech at the Urban Margins of Buenos Aires

A partir del estudio etnográfico sobre tratamientos psi centrados en la palabra en poblaciones de los márgenes de Buenos Aires, este trabajo problematiza el proceso de argumentar por medio de un objetivo doble. Por un lado, explora las relaciones locales y globales entre argumentos y vida cotidiana en varias geografías simbólicas del capitalismo actual. Se examinan los argumentos dominantes que vinculan sufrimiento, desigualdad y pobreza, y tratamientos psi. Por otro lado, al problematizar el argumentar como praxis, se abre al examen el proceso de descolonizar los argumentos y los modos de argumentar en la investigación antropológica en general y en este tema en particular.Based on an ethnographic study that I carried out about the treatments psy that work with the speech, in the urban margins in Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, this paper problematizes the argumentative process by analyzing two dimensions. On the one hand, by exploring the local and global relations between arguments and ordinary life in several symbolic geographies of the contemporary capitalism. This article examines those arguments that articulate suffering, inequality and poverty, and psi treatments. On the other hand, by problematizing the argumentative process as praxis, this analysis opens the understanding of the decolonizing arguments and the ways of understanding in the anthropological research in general, and in the psy field, in particular.Fil: Epele, Maria E.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Instituto de Investigaciones "Gino Germani"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Políticas de la palabra, secretos y modos de tratar psi en los márgenes de Buenos Aires

El problema del secreto no es algo nuevo en antropología. Mientras que los abordajes clásicos hacen de los secretos un dominio trazado por lo oculto, el interior, lo profundo y verdadero, los desarrollos actuales han modificado y ampliado el espectro de temáticas y perspectivas teóricas que los examinan (Luhrmann, 1989; Taussig, 1999; Manderson et al., 2015). Una de las áreas privilegiadas en los estudios contemporáneos sobre los secretos consiste en las tecnologías terapéuticas, específicamente, los saberes, diagnósticos y tratamientos psi, en psicología, psiquiatría y psicoanálisis (Lock y Nguyen, 2010; Giordano, 2015; Martinez-Hernáez, 2017). Debido a la relevancia que el psicoanálisis tiene en el campo psi de Argentina, algunas de sus teorías y técnicas vienen modelando las psicoterapias en el sistema público de salud en la región de Buenos Aires desde hace décadas (Vezzetti, 1996; Visacovsky, 2002).Fil: Epele, Maria E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Spatial and temporal pattern of caddisfly distribution at a mesohabitat scale in two Patagonian mountains streams subjected to pastoral use

Substrate, flow type, nutrients, aquatic vegetation, organic matter, and caddisfly community structure were studied at two low order streams (Glyn and Nant y Fall) subjected to pastoral use in the Patagonian mountains. At both sites, we examined the effect of habitat type (boulder-pebble with and without filamentous algae, cobble-pebble, gravel-sand, leaf-pack, the submerged macrophytes Myriophyllum quitense and Isoetes savatieri) and season (high and low water period) on caddisfly assemblages. Benthic particulate organic matter (BPOM) ranged between 4.6 and 472 g m-2, all allochtonous detrital fractions were significantly higher at leaf-packs at Glyn, whereas M. quitense habitats supported more BPOM and macrophytes biomass at Nant y Fall. As expected, boulder-pebble sustained higher Trichoptera richness than M. quitense and gravel-sand, moreover all habitats showed higher density than M. quitense at Nant y Fall. According to our results at least nine caddisfly species exhibited some habitat preference with boulder-pebble and cobble-pebble the most selected habitat. These particular habitats sustained more than 68% of the total caddisfly species. Multidimensional scaling ordination highlighted differences in composition per habitat for both sites showing a clear distinction among depositional and erosional habitats. Substrate, flow type, detritus biomass were important predictors defining assemblages. Based upon our findings, those anthropogenic actions or stressors that change hydraulic as well substrate attributes in mountain streams such as stock trampling, dredging, clearing of riparian areas, will reduce caddisfly richness. These results are relevant for outline management and conservation biomonitoring and schemes in headwater Patagonian streams as well as other similar environments worldwide.Fil: Brand, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Ecología y Sistemática Animal; ArgentinaFil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Ecología y Sistemática Animal; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Ecología y Sistemática Animal; Argentin

Beetle mania: Understanding pond aquatic beetles diversity patterns through a multiple-facet approach

Ecological studies searching for drivers of biodiversity variation have frequently focused on taxonomic richness. However, more aspects of biodiversity, namely diversity facets can be considered to properly assess biotic-environment relationships. Here, we explore the environmental factors that could control the four biodiversity facets of aquatic Coleoptera from 93 regionally sampled Patagonian ponds. We also explore which are the ponds with high diversity values of all facets to prioritize them with a high conservation value. We fitted generalized additive models (GAM) to test relationships among environment (i.e., local and climatic variables) and aquatic beetles diversity facets (i.e., richness (SD), functional diversity (FD), phylogenetic diversity (PD), and local contribution to local beta diversity (LCBD). Climatic drivers were the most important predictors of beetle diversity facets, which exhibited linear and nonlinear responses. Thus, ponds from warmer Patagonia exhibited the highest values of SD and PD, whereas LCBD also peaked on colder sites suggesting that ponds under extreme temperatures sustain unique beetle assemblages. Moreover, ponds located in areas with higher precipitation variability exhibit the highest values of LCBD (i.e., unique assemblages). This result in addition to arid conditions in Patagonia prevailing since 16 m.y.a made us think that Patagonian beetle pond-dwellers are basally adapted to aridity. We calculated an index that summarizes the four facets patterns, to assign high conservation value to those ponds with higher index values. The relative importance of each facet varies from pond to pond. Hence, this multifaceteded approach not only allows us to identify priority areas for biodiversity conservation but also focuses on the importance of including multiple facets to understand biodiversity spatial patterns.Fil: Martínez Román, Nicolás Rafael. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Manzo, Luz Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Grech, Marta Gladys. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Archangelsky, Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentin

Los indicadores biológicos en la Patagonia. Calidad de agua e integridad ecológica: Una mirada desde arroyos a mallines

La Patagonia comprende una vasta región (> 1.000.000 km2) que exhibe una remarcable heterogeneidad espacial, en donde las formas de relieve como montañas, mesetas, y valles están drenadas por sistemas fluviales que desaguan al Atlántico y al Pacífico. Además de lagos y lagunas, son numerosos los “mallines” (área donde se acumula agua) que están presentes en el área. Examinamos las diferentes alternativas de bioindicación utilizadas hasta la fecha a modo de brindar un panorama respecto a la salud de los cuerpos de agua y zonas ribereñas. Describimos resultados en relación a mecanismos que operan a nivel de la membrana celular, invertebrados acuáticos, macrófitas, ecosistemas de ribera, y calidad de hábitat. Si bien es notorio el trabajo realizado en diversas cuencas patagónicas, en donde diferentes instituciones han puesto esfuerzos y recursos, vislumbramos que aún falta mejorar la articulación con los entes de gestión.Fil: Miserendino, Maria Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Brand, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; ArgentinaFil: Manzo, Luz Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentin