Drug Epidemiology as a Critical Subject of Global Health, Mental Health, and Health Equity: Advances, Trends, and Contemporary Issues

Abstract

Drug epidemiology basically involves the methodical study of the incidence, distribution, and impact of drug or substance abuse in populations and associated factors with a view to proffering solutions or interventions. Drug epidemiology has significantly evolved over the years. The nature of substances that are being used or abused has also drastically evolved, just as the factors that are associated are also evolving. Populations appear to have observable trends or patterns and characteristic underlying factors that are primarily responsible for the trends. Unfortunately, there have not been adequate efforts to appreciate the evolutions that have characterized the patterns of drug or substance abuse or the factors that are responsible for these trends. This is also because drug epidemiology has arguably not been given the attention that it probably deserves worldwide. Judging by recent developments and data on prevalence, drug epidemiology warrants significant attention. This article provides insights into drug epidemiology, not just as a concept but a subject of public and global health, and health equity. It also highlights challenges and matters arising in drug epidemiology, sheds light on contemporary issues, and attempts to suggest solutions. Finally, it advocates for policies and practices that are in line with global realities and trends. Drug Epidemiology as a Relatively Neglected Aspect of Epidemiology A psychoactive substance or agent is a or drug or substance that influences brain functions and causes changes in behavior, mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or state of mind. It is not out of place to consider drug epidemiology a relatively neglected or unexplored aspect of epidemiology. Obviously, classical epidemiology has primarily focused on the distribution of diseases of the body within populations. It is interesting to note that even global statistics on health conditions and problems hardly pay commensurate attention to the problem of drug epidemiology. On the other hand, evidence abounds that drug epidemiology constitutes a significant proportion of what contributes to the global burden of diseases globally, with significant effect on quality of life as well as socioeconomic and psychological well-being. The fact that adequate attention has not been paid to drug epidemiology in the context of epidemiology as a domain of medical and health science therefore warrants attention and critical analysis. Part of the challenges that might have contributed to this scenario as illustrated might be partly because classical epidemiologists hardly consider the problem of drug and substance abuse as much as they study bodily and infectious diseases within populations, while individuals who are interested in drug and substance abuse hardly consider it a primary public health and epidemiology topic of interest. This anomaly has lasted too long considering the implications, and hence requires critical and urgent attention. While efforts to change this narrative might begin with awareness creation, it is important to equally consider the need to educate epidemiologists, medical scientists, and public health personnel on the problems of drug epidemiology, as well as its dynamics in different contexts, populations, and even cultures. Epidemiological evidence should inform policies. 1,2 It might not be out of place to state that epidemiologists need to pay more attention to studying drug epidemiology critically. This is evident Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation 2022:13 111-116 111