Have you ever wondered what happens in your body when you swallow those tablets labelled MEDICINE and the cumulative effects of these pills especially when taken in an inappropriate manner.
Drug abuse is an evergreen issue whose venom has eaten deep into the total wellbeing of an average individual. The decadence of this global issue has made it more than the pharmacy profession affair as all hands are needed on deck to curb the inclining rate of this menace. According to the definition given by Wikipedia, a drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism’s physiology or psychology when consumed. They are further defined in the ways they affect the body i.e. hallucinogens, depressants, stimulants etc.
In simpler terms, drug abuse occur when these drugs are used in ways other than the prescribed indications. Gone are the days when the drugs abused were prescription medications like narcotics, bezondiapines; the alarming rate of abuse of OTCs, herbal medications makes one to wonder if this issue would ever be defeated. The effects of these abused substances is more than just a physiological or psychological dilemma as various developed countries are at the brim of making this global issue a thing of the past. What are the active roles pharmacists should play to make this feat achievable?
Pharmacist are the drug experts and are most often the first healthcare professional in general to identify potential or chronic substance abuse cases. For this reason, they are well-positioned to play a crucial role in fighting substance abuse through prevention, education, and awareness of assistance programs.
Awareness program is the first critical step to effect change as it ensures proper dissemination of health information like federal and state rules and regulations and treatment guidelines around both prescription and non-prescription drugs of abuse. This program can be done in a patient oriented pharmacy setting like hospital or community pharmacy.
Pharmacists could also organize educational workshops, seminars etc. as this would not only focus on the patients but also on other members of the health care team, care givers and the community at large. This can be effectively carried out when the substances abused and patterns of abuse are identified. These solutions can help in identifying some common red flag potentials for drug abuse.