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Educare

Educare

NOVIEMBRE 2009 N° 9 Volumen 7

Drugs: a realistic approach and a pending discussion

Section: TEACHING TO LEARN

Authors

1Ana Mª Santos Herrero, 2Amparo Bellver Cebria

Position

1Enfermera Especialista en Salud Mental, Hospital Clínico Universitario Valencia.2Profesora de Enfermería Psiquiátrica y de Salud Mental de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería “La Fe” de Valencia.

Contact email: anasantos@mcparquitectura.com

Abstract

In this paper we intend to provide information and insights into drug use as it is an issue in society, which acquires new forms to which we must pay attention to find and implement responses.
The concern to find the key to the phenomenon of drugs in the twenty-first century and in our environment goes beyond knowing the consumption data for each of them, the effects they cause, and existing therapies to counter such effects and possibly achieve giving them up altogether.
From the nursing profession, and taking into account the multidisciplinary approach necessary to properly address this problem, we are missing a wide debate from various sectors: education, health, society, and legal, which could open a path to implement innovative and different measures or ways of addressing this multifaceted situation, or as a complement to the existing ones.
The public at large suffer in a different extent the consequences of addictive behaviours that exist in varied settings such as villages, neighbourhoods, cities, school environments, leisure areas...
Prevention, which relies mainly on health education and research on social, and even, genetic factors, should contribute to a decline in consumption of addictive substances while providing security, autonomy, self-esteem and a better decision-making ability essentially to be able to say NO.
Additionally, it could help the whole society to establish brave, and as transparent as possible, mechanisms to assess the pros and cons of a possible legalization of so-called illegal drugs, and possibly incorporate staggered phases, intervention protocols, control of retail procedures and locations and for the same.
This debate should be encouraged, followed by some progress and assessment tools to measure results.

Keywords:

drug use; health education; discussionresearch

Versión en Español

Título:

Las drogas: un abordaje realista y un debate pendiente