2026 Volume 39 Issue 1 Pages 29-40
Overdosing and abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs has become a social problem among young people. However, there are few examples of educational initiatives targeting the youth to combat loneliness and isolation, the underlying causes of this issue. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the understanding of drug abuse, OTC drugs, and measures to combat loneliness and isolation among142 third-year junior high school students through classes led by a school pharmacist. A questionnaire was employed before and after the classes to assess these changes. After the lessons led by the school pharmacist, there was a significant increase in the identification of MDMA, organic solvents (thinners),narcotics, and alcohol as commonly abused drugs. Additionally, responses identifying OTC medicines, psychotropic drugs, and painkillers, also used as therapeutic drugs, increased by more than 30％(p<0.05). For answers to questions such as “The medicine you get from the hospital is more effective than the medicine you can buy at a drugstore” and “Painkillers have only the effect of relieving pain,” scores significantly decreased after the lesson by the school pharmacist, indicating a deeper understanding(p<0.05). Awareness of available support services significantly increased after the class, with the knowledge of telephone helplines rising to 86.8％(118), SNS helplines to 80.9％(110), and chat helplines to 82.4％(112)(p<0.05). The number of individual students consulting about medication changed to pharmacists(108, 79.4％), doctors(95, 69.9％), and family members(83, 61.0％). The number of students who selected registered sellers increased significantly from 10 (8.4％) to 29(21.3％)(p<0.05). To prevent poisoning from OTC drugs and promote their appropriate use, education led by school pharmacists on loneliness, isolation, and drug abuse is considered beneficial.
