The Attached document contains ALL of the requirements. Respond to the colleagues with a critique of the gaps in service they identified for Joe. Then, describe a substance use or drug policy that you

Respond to the colleagues with a critique of the gaps in service they identified for Joe. Then, describe a substance use or drug policy that you believe is unjust or disproportionately affects a certain group or population. Finally, describe the ethical obligations of social workers to make changes to substance use policies. Provide at least 2 references for each Colleague response. You can use the colleague’s reference.

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Respond to the following Posts:

Colleague DB:

Joe is a 34-year-old male, active in a dual-diagnosis treatment program. He has been putting forth effort to turn his life around following his release from jail for possession with intent to distribute (Plummer, 2014). Several barriers are arising for Joe in his efforts to start a new life that are related to his previous challenges. For example, he is struggling to find employment as a result of his criminal record, there are also barriers with receiving Medicaid benefits with his substance distribution history that are based on state policies (Plummer, 2014). With all of the different barriers that Joe is facing, he is becoming more and more hopeless and his “best chances” according to local services require him to leave the county which will separate him from the few supports he has (Plummer, 2014).   

According to Popple & Leighninger (2019), there are several agencies that have a “zero tolerance policy” when it comes to drug usage. Although this can make sense in certain circumstances, I believe that the policy actually has the ability to cause more harm than good. There is significant research done through Dartmouth University that shows us that competitive employment actually has the ability to do more for an individual’s mental health and substance dependence that medication or counseling (Noel, 2019). Through this research Dartmouth developed the IPS (Individualized placement and support) model, which is a high-fidelity model of practice that supported employment abides by. Making it more challenging for individuals to get work is more likely to trigger a relapse due to feelings of hopelessness and/or inadequacy.

Unfortunately, current policies make it extremely difficult for individuals with criminal histories to get good competitive employment. Joe is falling victim to these policies in a way that are making it very hard for him to be successful because of choices he made in his past. He is struggling to find work, based on policies put in place that disqualify him from most employment opportunities based on a criminal background. He is also found ineligible for General benefits from the County Division of Social Services because of his specific charges (Plummer, 2014).

I believe that one development that could be made to improve these policies would be the creation of an exception or an appeal process. These policies do exist for a reason, and that needs to be valued and recognized. We cannot hire anybody who has a felony charge and provide for everyone because we have a responsibility to keep the general public safe. However, we live in a community that believes in redemption and second chances, and believe that people have the capacity to change. I believe that an exception or an appeal process in which a person can explain the circumstances under which their “crime” occurred, and explain what has changed, what is different now, why it will not happen again, and will allow for people to have the second chance they deserve. Everybody makes mistakes, and it is unfair for people to feel as though their life is entirely ruined, as Joe said he felt, because of a mistake they made.

References 

Noel, V. (2019). Research. [online] The IPS Employment Center. Retrieved from: https://i psworks.org/index.php/research/ [Accessed 30 Jul. 2019]. 

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014).  Social work case studies:  Foundation year.  Baltimore, MD:  Laureate International Universities Publishing.   [Vital Source e-reader].  

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019).  The policy-based profession:  An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Pearson Education. 

Colleague CW:

With reference to the “Joe” case study, in this post I will attempt to explain drug policy effects on Joe’s situation, explain possible gaps in service, and describe a strategy which could be considered to help address identified gaps. 

Citizen stakeholders view substance abuse as a major issue, therefore, persuading policymakers to crack down on substance abuse policies (Popple & Leighninger, 2019). Society also sees substance abuse as widespread among welfare recipients. As a result, many states require welfare recipients to complete drug screenings to qualify for and receive benefits.  While Joe didn’t have to participate in drug testing, he had a drug related conviction preventing him from obtaining assistance. Drug policies prevent anyone with a Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) drug conviction from receiving any sort of cash benefits. It also restricts individuals from qualifying for several other government needs tested program benefits.  In some states, there is a full ban on drug felons trying to get public assistance (TANF, EBT, etc.), whereas, several other states have restrictions (Wiltz, 2016).

Gaps in services for Joe are that he is unable to obtain the help he needs because he has a drug conviction.  The issue is that he is dependent upon marijuana, now that he is no longer using marijuana, he is developing depression. Joe’s conviction poses a domino effect.  His dependence on marijuana caused him a conviction, which has now caused him a multitude of other issues including mental health conditions.  In turn, his conviction has caused him difficulty in obtaining employment.  Without employment, Joe is unable to continue to receive his treatment for his dual diagnosis of substance abuse and mental illness because he will not be able to afford treatment or medication.  Not only does he not have employment means, but he is unable to obtain certain General Assistance which also stems from his marijuana usage and distribution.  I understand that when you do the crime you pay the time. However, as Wiltz (2016) stated in her article, “How long should your brush with the law impact you and your family,” asked Doug Ammar, executive director of the Justice Project.

In order to address gaps in policies like the ones affecting Joe I’d advocate for revisions to the CDS policies specifically for marijuana. This would mean lifting the ban on those who have drug related convictions. What makes a substance abuser different from a murderer when it comes to assistance? There’s no reason Joe and other abuser should be punished in this manner.  I would request in the revision that recipients with a dual diagnosis automatically be offered medical assistance. I would further require that substance abusers complete a set amount of treatment sessions as suggested by each state. Once an individual completes all legal provisions and has finalized all legal requirements, I believe it is only right they be offered some type of assistance to get back on their feet.  Additionally, with regards specific to marijuana convictions, once a state legalizes the sale of marijuana, all convictions should be permanently removed from the individual’s record.

References:

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014).  Social work case studies:  Foundation year.  Baltimore, MD:  Laureate International Universities Publishing.   [Vital Source e-reader]. 

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019).  The policy-based profession:  An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Pearson Education. 

Wiltz, T. (n.d.). More States Lift Welfare Restrictions for Drug Felons. Retrieved from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2016/08/09/more-states-lift-welfare-restrictions-for-drug-felons

Colleague NA:

Joe is a 34 year old male who attempted to obtain Medicaid benefits in order to fund his treatment at the community mental health center for those with dual diagnoses, which in Joe’s case is major depressive disorder and dependency on marijuana. However, he was sent to prison for possession with intent to distribute of a controlled substance. His record does not allow him to receive the benefits he needs, such as cash assistance, housing, food stamps, and Medicaid for his treatment program. This record has also made it difficult for him to obtain employment to help pay for his medication (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014).

Popple & Leighninger (2019) state that “only a small percent (10.8) of those with drug- or alcohol-related problems get treatment at a specialized facility (defined as a rehabilitation or community mental health center, inpatient hospital” (p. 163). These low numbers are attributed to not being able to afford any rehabilitation, or the unwillingness to want to participate. Those who have records and are trying to make their lives better have the odds stacked against them.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act places lifetime prohibitions on obtaining federal benefits for drug related crimes only, unless individual states decide to opt out of the ban or make a modification to the ban (Mauer & McCalmont, 2013). These policies make it difficult for individuals like Joe from getting the help they want and need. Unfortunately, if Joe feels he has no other alternative, he could turn to gaining income illegally and ending up right back to square one.

The changes I would make is to remove this ban entirely. The policy was created as a way to reduce drug use and crime, however, it has not proven effective (Mauer & McCalmont, 2013). People are not punished in this manner for crimes that are far worse than drug related offenses, so to target those with drug-related offenses is irrational. If I were working with Joe, I would refer him to a reentry program. I reside in Pennsylvania, there currently exists a reentry program called Friends over Fences. This program assists ex-offenders in obtaining employment, transportation, housing, clothing and food which I believe would be beneficial for Joe (Family Circle Ministries, 2019).

References:

Family Circle Ministries. (2019). Friends over fences programs and results. Retrieved from https://www.friendsoverfences.org

Mauer, M. & McCalmont, V. (2013). A lifetime of punishment: The impact of the felony drug ban on welfare benefits. Retrieved from

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.