The United States continues to face complex public safety and social welfare challenges, with youth drug use and exploitation presenting long-term implications for community resilience, healthcare costs, and institutional capacity. As substance use among adolescents increases, particularly involving prescription and over-the-counter medications, traditional intervention models have struggled to adapt. Gaps in cross-sector coordination, lack of standardized training, and uneven resource allocation have left many regions without sufficient means to implement proactive, evidence-based prevention strategies. The need for innovative approaches that not only react to threats but anticipate and mitigate them is increasingly urgent.
Against this backdrop, a new venture, Negreiros Group LLC, is preparing to enter the U.S. market. Though the company has not yet begun operations, it aims to position itself at the intersection of preventive security and social protection, offering consulting services that target systemic vulnerabilities before they escalate. Negreiros Group plans to collaborate with public agencies, private security organizations, educational institutions, and community-based groups to develop multidisciplinary strategies aimed at curbing adolescent substance abuse and protecting vulnerable youth from exploitation.
This business model reflects an understanding that public safety is no longer the sole responsibility of law enforcement. As federal and state governments continue to promote community-based prevention and interagency partnerships, demand is growing for consulting firms capable of navigating this complex landscape. The labor shortage in this sector has compounded the challenge. Organizations nationwide report difficulty in recruiting professionals equipped to handle prevention-focused security tasks, especially those requiring both operational knowledge and social policy expertise. Negreiros Group’s approach, prioritizing capacity-building through training, awareness, and strategic alignment, seeks to fill that void.
At the helm of the company is José Roberto Macedo de Negreiros, a seasoned public security professional whose career spans over two decades in Brazil. His background includes frontline experience in law enforcement and high-level roles within Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security, where he led initiatives focused on youth prevention, cross-border security, and federal grant oversight. He also contributed to programs like PROERD, the Brazilian adaptation of the U.S.-based D.A.R.E. program, and PROTETOR, which coordinates operations across Brazil’s border regions. These experiences informed his belief that sustainable public safety must include proactive community engagement and professional development. His academic background in social sciences, psychoeducational intervention, and accounting further reflects a multidisciplinary perspective essential for tackling today’s multifactorial social risks.
“What I’ve learned is that preventing harm requires more than just surveillance or enforcement, it requires training, integration, and trust-building,” Negreiros said. “Negreiros Group will work to support U.S. institutions in strengthening these areas through practical, adaptive strategies aligned with local and national priorities.”
Once launched, the company will introduce a range of initiatives, from advanced training programs for security professionals to continuing education for educators and community leaders. These services are intended to enhance institutional capacity in regions struggling with substance abuse, youth exploitation, and border-related vulnerabilities. Importantly, Negreiros Group also plans to deliver public awareness campaigns and provide guidance for agencies involved in high-risk areas such as border zones, sectors where preventive measures often lag due to jurisdictional complexity and limited resources.
The company’s leadership anticipates its programs will not only reduce social harm but also contribute to long-term economic stability. Projections over a five-year period estimate a potential $4.3 million contribution to the U.S. economy through employment, training services, and reduced public expenditures on healthcare and law enforcement. Such figures reflect the broader role of social protection consulting in enhancing national resilience.
Looking ahead, Negreiros Group aims to scale its model to meet growing demand for integrated prevention services. By prioritizing workforce development and institutional collaboration, it seeks to strengthen the infrastructure required to sustain prevention efforts over time. As public and private sectors search for innovative approaches to meet emerging security threats, Negreiros Group’s framework offers a data-driven, human-centered response to one of the country’s most pressing social issues.
