Resumo

DIAZ MOLINA, Milena; HERRERA LLOPIZ, Aymée  e  MATEU LOPEZ, Liliana. Use and abuse of psychotropic drugs: design of an activity of the community project with Havana's Pharmacy Museum . Rev Cubana Farm [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.2, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-2988.

Introduction: One of the most important functions of the pharmaceutical professional as a drug specialist is his community work. The Institute of Pharmacy and Food of the University of Havana develops a community Project with La Reunión Pharmacy Museum, which includes among its activities "The Infusion Afternoons", a propitious setting for the development of general topics related to drugs. One of the most selected to this end was that on psychotropic drugs, since it is a group of drugs of particular importance. Methods: "The Infusion Afternoons" are monthly activities dealing with general pharmaceutical themes that are directed to the population and to the first-year students of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In the case of psychotropic drugs, it was used the modality of round table, followed by audience/panel debate. Results: Some aspects of interest connected with the history of the use of psychotropic drugs and of the treatment of mental diseases were approached, and special emphasis was given to those psychotropic drugs most commonly known and used by the population. The attention was focused on the need of a rational use of psychotropic drugs. Discussion: The type of activity developed made possible that both the students and the population improved their knowledge about this topic. The students were linked with the activities of drug information and health education. This activity marked the beginning of their participation in the community project.

Palavras-chave : Psychotropic drugs; history; use; community project.