Published by Computachem Services

P.O Box 297.
Alstonville. 2477
NSW Australia

Phone:
61 2 66285138

Social consequences of substance abuse are a precursor to ill health. Pharmacists should be as interested in curbing the social determinants of ill health as much as they are looking at blood pressure and blood sugar.
No matter how much money is put into treating ill health, it will not do anything to stop the growth of ill health caused by some socially accepted behavioural practices.
Pharmacists have a role to play in the maintenance of health in the community, and especially if the health is threatened by a person abusing themselves with a chemical substance.
Be it alcohol, tobacco, opiates or benzos - the knowledge a pharmacist has of the effect these chemicals have on the body deserves attention.

In looking ahead to a time when pharmacists can venture out into the community - and be a true "community" pharmacist - they are the one health professional with the expert knowledge of the action of drugs (substances) on the body.
Drug abuse in the form of smoking marijuana is close to being the worst kind of addiction a person can have. Yet it receives the smallest of attention from the health policy makers.
Young people seem to be able to get away with it as if it is a "phase" they go through as a part of growing up.
However the social consequences of "pot" use can be far reaching with little done to involve a "holistic" approach to the problem.
For one thing the financial aspect of using an illicit substance means it is a drain on the purse, albeit so small in the case of a young person or a person unemployed.
The debilitating affect means that the user is unlikely to be able to be alert when needed, socialise in a acceptable manner, and have a dollar to buy the necessities of life.
The very knowledge the pharmacy graduate of the 2000s has should be being put to use as the first choice of health educator on substance abuse to school children, self help groups such as AA, and concerned parents wondering how to avoid the risks for their children.
It should be the challenge of the pharmacy leaders, especially the PSA, to undertake (if not already) a strategic approach to having pharmacists installed in the position of respect in this subject area.
Of all the social determinants of ill health in the community today, "pot" smoking will have to rate high on the list.
The only way to avoid it is to be aware of the effects if used in excess.
Alcohol and tobacco rate high on the list for health authorities because it has been known for years, if not centuries, that the ill health caused by them is devastating to the health budget.
Now is the time to start moving on that other menace, marijuana, or before long it too will be legalised and then probably advertised in some medium to encourage greater use.
It is interesting that in a recent report (Sweeney Sports Report) on public awareness of sponsors (advertisers) to AFL football, the three most recalled products were beer, junk food and aerated soft drink.
The health educators then have the job of doing the best they can to minimise the risk when these products are taken.
Bearing in mind their budget is no where near that of the beer industry, they need all the help they can get.
A perfect opportunity to be proactive and move before pushed.
There is a social responsibility and pharmacists are a part of the social welfare system - or aren't they?