When it comes to substance abuse prevention, it’s time to liberate pharmacies for the benefit of mankind. They can offer more service once the people embrace and acknowledge their actual responsibilities.

The World Health Organization has declared that road traffic issues are among the top three causes of death worldwide. Yearly, roughly 1.3 million people die due to this reason. This data alone establishes that roadway accidents have a high probability of happening. Hence, it’s vital to put more attention and proactive effort into reducing this probability.

However, as years go by, another danger is slowly rising and replacing roadway accidents’ pervasiveness. Since 2016 and even the years prior, there’s continuously growing data proving that people are more likely to die from drug abuse than vehicular accidents.

In America alone, more and more people die from an overdose.

The use and abuse of illegal substances are widespread in today’s society. In fact, according to UNODC’s global estimates, 36.3 million are suffering from drug use disorders among the overall number of drug users. This is approximately 13% of the total users, which tallies more than 36 million people.

Drug abuse, even its simple usage, is dangerous. While it temporarily satisfies its users, its severe consequences last permanently.

As September steadily rolls by, it’s the perfect time to discuss drug abuse and its prevention. September is considered National Recovery Month. Hence, let’s talk about how society can achieve substance-free communities. What people can do to help, and most significantly, what the role of the healthcare field is in this battle.

The People and Pharmacy in a Substance-Free Society

Drug abuse isn’t a simple problem of impulse and self-control. Drugs, with repeated use, can change the brain’s chemistry and inner workings. After prolonged use, the problem stops revolving around discipline and becomes a health and mental-related condition.

The People

One of the crucial keys to an abuse-free community starts from its people. A supportive community that helps advocate against drug abuse goes a long way. Programs and resources alone won’t deliver any results if there aren’t people helping propagate them.

A supportive community doesn’t only take charge in disseminating information and programs against drug use. It also ensures that the victim recovers faster and smoothly by providing all possible victims the needed help. The community also assists in making sure that the victims’ transitioning back to society goes smoothly.

The Pharmacy

Community members each have a role in the foundation of a substance-free society. The healthcare team is obviously at the forefront of this to ensure people stay at their healthiest.

Among the healthcare field, a group typically considered to contribute the least to this fight is the pharmaceutical field. But they are at the forefront of this. With this, it’s time to liberate the pharmacies for the benefit of mankind. It’s time to destroy the misconceptions about the pharmacies’ responsibilities. 

Identification

The pharmacy is the most exposed to people’s drug-abusive tendencies. Among the substances available, it’s been identified that opioid is the top source of emergencies. This substance is commonly found in pain relievers which pharmacists prescribe and distribute to people. This makes them a crucial role in this matter.

Awareness

People must be aware of their actions’ consequences. This is the first step to change. As part of their responsibilities, pharmacists must be updated on the latest rules and treatment guidelines around drugs. They can be the first to recognize and track a user’s total opioid dose. With this, they can disseminate this information and help inform people about the dangers of substance abuse.

Education

Since they take part in counseling patients with their medications, pharmacists can be a vital communication point for possible abusers. They can talk to people about the cautions of substance abuse and can hold these people accountable for their actions. When it comes to helping people take responsibility, they can also advise people with treatments and encourage them to change.

Other than evaluating patients and handing out medications, pharmacists have a general goal of advocating for people’s better health. As with every other professional in the healthcare field, they oversee whether people’s health issues are taken care of. With this, pharmacists can have a significant role in preventing substance abuse in communities.