International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, June 26

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Substance abuse is more than a personal struggle, it’s a public health crisis that affects families, communities, and entire systems. As healthcare students and professionals, it’s important we move beyond just textbook knowledge and understand the human side of addiction. Whether it’s knowing how certain drugs alter brain chemistry, how withdrawal manifests, or how stigma delays recovery, our role is not to judge, but to support, educate, and advocate for better systems of care.

This day is a reminder that prevention starts with awareness, and real change happens when empathy meets evidence.

What’s one thing you think healthcare students should be taught early about addiction?:backhand_index_pointing_down:

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Healthcare students should be taught early on to avoid stigmatizing addiction any more than it already is.
They could end up coming across a patient/family member/friend or themselves also, when they realise they are developing an unhealthy pattern of behaviour and addiction.
Being Kind and Confident to straighten the brain chemistry, and having the courage to ask for help, is what should be taught to HCPs.

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