Drug addiction

       Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. According to several national surveys, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at a rate second only to marijuana among illicit drug users. The consequences of this abuse have been steadily worsening, reflected in increased treatment admissions, emergency room visits, and overdose deaths.

       Many people do not understand why people become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior.

How to become a pharmacist?

       Becoming a pharmacist requires years of education and training to obtain the necessary knowledge, skills and certifications. Traditionally, a Bachelor of Pharmacy was considered the first-professional degree for pharmacy practice, however now all aspiring pharmacists are required to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) through a doctoral program accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Aspiring pharmacists can spend anywhere between six years (fast-track) to thirteen years completing pre-requisites, Pharm.D coursework, clinical rotations and national exams.

       It is required to have a license to practice pharmacy in the United States. You will need to pass the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) to gain licensure, and take the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) for most states. Check with your state to determine how often pharmacy licenses must be renewed, and be sure to keep your license current.

       Pharmacists can work as licensed practitioners in pharmacies, companies that manufacture medicines and drugs and also in research centers where new and more effective medicines are worked on. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a pharmacist can expect to earn an annual salary in the range of $82,000 to $138,000, along with a number of incentives.

Recreational drugs vs. medicinal drugs

       The most common question about "drugs" is: what is the difference between recreational drugs and medicinal drugs? Medical drugs are prescribed for a particular medical need such as infection control, pain relief, etc. Recreational drugs are taken for fun. Medical drugs are sometimes used as recreational drugs. The most common is the marijuana, according to the World Health Organization, marijuana is the most popular recreational drug worldwide. However, unlike many other recreational drugs, marijuana is widely used as a medicine as well.

       While there are many illegal drugs much worse than marijuana or alcohol, what many don’t realize is just how many drugs are perfectly legal and obtainable over the counter, that are far stronger and more dangerous than the illegal ones. For example the "Robitussin" is use for supposing cough; however this is a powerfully addictive substance. Recreationally robitussin can have powerful effects, ranging from euphoria, elevated mood, dissociation, dream-like states, and increased awareness. Many people consider the state to being drunk and stoned at the same time, and higher doses can greatly impair memory, language and judgment.

Pharmacist responsibilities

       The principal goal of pharmaceutical care is to achieve positive outcomes from the use of medication which improves patients' quality of life with minimum risk. Every pharmacist have a different responsibility such as:

• Dispense the medication: This is the "filling, licking and sticking" most people imagine when they conjure a mental image of a pharmacist counting out tablets, preparing a bottle label and handling medications to patients. Ensure patients' safety.
• Check each patients’ medication record every time he or she gets a new or refill prescription filled. This is the best way for a pharmacist to prevent potentially dangerous interactions between drugs.
• Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team to provide expertise on drug decisions and improve patient outcomes.
• Counsel patients. Counseling includes training patients how and when to take doses, following up with patients to see if medications are working, sharing tips on how to minimize side effects while maximizing benefits and listening to all of a patient's concerns.
• Providing knowledge about the composition of drugs based upon their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as their manufacture and use.
• Manage staff. Pharmacists have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the the “three Rs” of right drug, right patient and right dose. Meeting this responsibility requires overseeing the work of and mentoring pharmacy technicians, student interns and residents.