To understand from the perspective of nurses and users of illicit drugs of CAPS Ad the impact of the Brazilian Criminalization Policy on the treatment of chemical dependents. Method: Qualitative research with nurses and users of illicit drugs of CAPS Ad. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, recorded and analyzed by he Content Analysis Technique. Results: The categories that emerged in the nurses' speech were "Criminalization as a controlling and prohibitionist policy"; "Moralism and stigmatization in the health area"; "Criminalization as a hindrance or not of treatment" and in the users speech were "The attentive look in the health area", "Marginalization of the drug user", "Criminalization as difficult or not treatment." Final Considerations: This study made it possible to give voice to illicit drug users and nurses, promoting reflections on prejudice and stigma still present in today's society.