The influx of poor rural workers has been handled in the worst way. The drug world has become a dangerous but attractive option for many youth. Marijuana and shoe glue are the drugs of choice for children of rural immigrants. Shoe glue is inexpensive and easily accessible. Fights and threats over the glue have increased violence in the favelas.
Many youth fear death threats but feel incapable of breaking out of the vice.
The government doesn't invest in the livelihood of the poor rural inhabitants. Lack of movement on land reform has created violent conflicts between powerful large landowners and the masses of rural poor. There are 160 areas of land conflict in the State of Paraiba alone. Paulo Costa dos Santos, a rural worker and organizer, was assassinated by a hitman hired by the owner of the fazenda on July,31. Lack of Teachers in North East Lack of teachers in the public elementary and secondary school systems of the Northeastern state of Paraiba is not a new problem.