The rate of drug abuse and misuse in Nigeria is increasing at an alarming rate. Being a
student in the health sector and having spoken with a lot of people on a somewhat personal
level, I can boldly say a lot of people are not aware of how to properly take antibiotics and
other medications such as the NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) like
diclofenac or paracetamol, cough syrups containing codeine and more. A lot of people are
antimicrobial resistant due to wrong use of antibiotics. This has led to treatment failure,
expensive healthcare and high mortality rate.
The Healthy Use Initiative is focused on educating and enlightening the masses; teenagers,
young adults and adults alike on proper drug use. The project was made with the knowledge
that the improper use of medications not only accelerates the development of
antibiotic-resistant bacteria but also contributes to wider public health issues related to drug
abuse/misuse. The key objectives of this project is to;
● Combat antibiotic resistance by educating healthcare workers and the public on the
importance of using antibiotics responsibly.
● Raise awareness on the numerous side effects and risks that could occur due to the
abuse and misuse of common drugs.
HOW WILL I MEASURE IMPACT
For this project, we will host two campaigns. One in a secondary school and another around
my campus with each campaign targeted to reach at least 100 people. We will also have a
social media page on instagram, where we will post flyers on the dangers and risks of drug
misuse/abuse and proper ways of drug usage.
The impact of this project will be measured in two phases. The first being a survey done by
sharing a questionnaire after each physical campaign, to know what they have learnt and
how they will be applying it in their everyday life. The second phase is the follow-up phase
which will happen at least 2 months after each campaign. The individuals present would be
asked how the campaign has improved their way of life and to know if they are spreading
their new found knowledge, as information is power.
MY PART IN THE COMMUNITY
I am deeply connected to the community the Healthy Use Initiative aims to serve. As a
member of this community myself, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of drug
misuse and the impact of antibiotic resistance. As a pharmacy student, overtime, I have built
healthy relationships with pharmacists, other healthcare providers in training and community
leaders. I have engaged them in conversations about some of the challenges we face, such
as the easy purchase of antibiotics without prescriptions and the misuse of opioid-based
cough syrups. The target audience of this project are the general public, youths and
students.
WHAT WILL THE NEWSPAPER SAY
In less than a year, the Healthy Use Initiative founded by a pharmacy student in the
University of Benin has touched so many lives. The initiative has strengthened our
community’s fight against drug misuse and antibiotic resistance, which aligns with the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Through targeted awareness campaigns, social media posts and close collaboration with other students and
local healthcare providers, the initiative has reduced over-the-counter antibiotic and pain
relievers misuse, improved prescribing practices and increased public understanding of the
dangers of drug abuse/misuse.
This has resulted in community members now making more informed health decisions and
healthcare systems operating with greater accountability. This progress shows how local
effort can create a global impact.