One of the most destructive forces in any society is the abuse of drugs. This includes addictions to any kind of drug including alcohol, street drugs, and the improper usage of prescription drugs when not prescribed by a doctor. In developing countries, this can be even more devastating, as there are few Intervention programs available to help those inflicted with an addiction.

The drug of choice in developing countries has shifted from opiates and cocaine to amphetamine based stimulant drugs. In fact, the number of those using amphetamines has the potential to grow to outnumber those using opiates and cocaine combined and in some places this is already the case. It seems, according to the UN World Drug Report, that when law enforcement and legal systems catch up with the current trends, someone develops a new way to market the drugs, manufacture them, or create new drugs that aren’t yet illegal.

Drug users in developing countries pose health risks not only to themselves, but to others as well. This can be attributed to their less than desirable hygiene and the use of needles to inject. In some areas dirty needles are left lying about in parks, on footpaths, and in abandoned buildings where they can be picked up and reused. This also is an example of how non users can be exposed to a host of blood borne pathogens that are the basis for many dreaded diseases.

The key, then, may lie in addiction intervention programs that help to fight the problem before it even begins. This is a problem with developing countries due to lack of qualified personnel that can administer a program properly and consistently in order to be part of an effective solution. Once addicted, there is a need for further intervention.

Travelling nurses can often be instrumental in the implementation and administration of treatment programmes for the addicted. Doctors and nurses locally can be overwhelmed with the usual health concerns and accidental injuries that they see and must treat as a matter of priority. Where there are extra hands available, such is the case with travelling nurses, attention can be paid to those who need monitoring and assistance with their addiction programmes.

Family involvement in the treatment process of alcoholics and drug addicts is essential. The family acts as a support system to give the addict a feeling of belonging, love, and acceptance. In order to be effective, they must have education and resources available to them. Travelling nurses can help families in that respect as well, since they have knowledge about addiction and its common behaviours, and can inform the family about what to expect. An addict going through a treatment programme will reach milestones and phases and their family should be informed of how each of these stages can affect the addict and the family.

Travelling nurses can also be instrumental in the implementation of alcohol intervention, drug abuse programmes, and family support and education, all of which are keys to combating the drug problems that can plague the world’s developing nations.

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