Abstract:

It is important for the future of our society that everyone participates and knows the most relevant aspects of science, including people with intellectual disabilities (ID). This is a Service-Learning project carried out by students of Green and sustainable Pharmacy subject in Pharmacy degree (Universidad San Jorge, Spain). The main objectives of this activity are to promote the social inclusion of people with ID, improve their communication skills and to spread the environmental impact of misuse of drugs.

People with ID come from CEDES Foundation, it is a social non-profit organization committed to the integral care of children, youth and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

In this activity several people with ID carried out a laboratory session at Universidad San Jorge (USJ). CEDES users have worked in the experimental laboratory in which the students usually work to assess the environmental impact of the drugs. They evaluated the impact of the drugs in the environment using different (micro)organisms.

USJ students have put into practice the knowledge acquired in their training and have developed tools such as the capacity for innovation and originality to communicate effectively with the population with ID. They have learnt how to adapt the scientific vocabulary and safety aspect using pictograms.

People with ID have learnt how to properly dispose medicines and why they should do so through a different activity than the conventional ones in their daily life. CEDES users filled a questionnaire before and after the intervention. Questions were related with the effect of drugs in the environment, the correct disposal of expired pharmaceuticals and types of living organism in the aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords:

Environment, people with intellectual disabilities, drugs.