MISUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Prescription drugs are drugs written and duly signed by a Medical practitioner for the

treatment of ailment. Misuse of drug is when a person takes

1. a legal prescription medication for a purpose other than the reason it

was prescribed; or 2. a drug not prescribed to him or her; or 3. a drug at a dose that was not recommended by a doctor. There is a difference between misuse and abuse of drugs. It has to do with the individuals intention and motivations. Abuse of drugs is when a person takes the drug for its pleasant or euphoric feeling, especially at higher doses than prescribed when he takes it for the euphoric feeling and not for therapeutic reasons. Both misuse and abuse pose great danger to ones health. So, care must be taken to avoid them. Coming back to the misuse of drugs PRACTICAL EXAMPLES 1. taking prescription medication other than the purpose it was prescribed: Benzodiazepines (Valium, Lexotan, etc) Drugs in this class usually prescribed for patients who atre anxious (anxiety) or apprehensive about one thing or the other to calm them down. Today, most people use it as sleeping pills.

Antibiotics are misused at an alarming rate in Nigeria.

2. Taking drugs not prescribed to him or her. It is wrong to go on self-medication. There is great danger inherent in such practice. a.) Example of people taking the same drug under a different name such as phensic, Alabukun, Aspirin, etc.
b.)

Taking drugs from your friends or neighbor just because his doctor recommended certain drug for headache for him and you believe that his drug can also cure your own headache.

Example of the woman with heart condition which presented as headache. Headache can be caused by a million things, so also stomach ache. Never accept drugs from your friends. Visit your doctor for thorough medical checkup.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP MISUSE OF DRUGS The Bible says: my people die for the lack of knowledge 1. Counsel individuals on dangers of misuse of drugs 2. Ensure that all drugs are kept away from the reach of children 3. Pharmacists should dispense or sell drugs only on prescription duly signed by a Medical Practitioner

4. All drugs must be labeled with the name of the drug written on the bottle or dispensing envelope to avoid duplication. The solution is to sensitize the people to the dangers, misuse or abuse can pose to their health