This article deals with the lives of young egress of drug traffic in the slums of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Its main objective is to examine the circumstances and the specific conditions that drive young people to abandon this illegal work activity. The method used to collect data was the topical life story in order to find out how 30 youths, from seven slums, had got involved until their departure from the "movement". Data shows that youths, entering trafficking, had an expectation of empowerment. With time, this attitude will wane, as they realize they are living with situations of betrayal, punishment and fear. The process for getting out occurs when the youth begins to question this type of work and sees other ways of life, more consistent with their aspirations. The facts conclude that when getting an early involvement in organized crime it leaves them physically and emotionally exhausted, as selling drugs is an ongoing confrontation through constant episodes of armed conflicts and arms dealing.
Slum; Violence; Youths involved in traffic of drugs
