Medical social workers' role in alcohol and drug abuse control in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This article examined the role of medical social workers in curtailing alcohol and drug consumption in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State. It employed a qualitative research design, adopting the Key Informant Interview (KII) strategy. Five (5) participants were randomly selected for the interview among community leaders, medical social workers, NDLEA officials and top civil servants working in the Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in the Local Government Area. The justification for limiting the number to only five (5) was that they were key informants who could provide credible information on the topic under investigation. Even though medical social workers performed credibly well in the course of performing their legitimate duty, the article highlights the significant challenges faced by medical social workers, including inadequate recognition, poor remuneration, and a lack of support from other professionals to complement their efforts in curtailing alcohol and drug abuse in Nigeria. The study recommends better integration of social work into healthcare systems, along with adequate welfare packages for workers, to motivate them to be more proactive in the performance of their statutory functions in Nigeria.