As an astute social worker and professional policy advocate, once you have selected and identified a social problem, you begin the process of creating and implementing a policy that addresses that soc

Running Head: SOCIAL ADVOCACY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER 0

SOCIAL ADVOCACY FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER

The Student’s Name Goes Here

Walden University

Social Advocacy for Substance Use Disorder

Championing for social causes is important as it provides a broadcast on issues that need to be changed on a social level. Advocacy groups have been in action for years fighting for causes are either neglected by society or do not provide enough attention to causes. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is an illness that is derived from overusing drugs so much that is completely affects one’s functioning ability. In the following pages of this paper we will breakdown the SUD issue and detail the synopsis of the social problem, define policy for change, detail reasons for change, advocating for policy change, potential long term impacts, and a final conclusion.

Synopsis of the Social Problem

In the United States, critical legislation has been enacted to support initiatives that assist victims suffering from SUD. This legation however has not been fully implemented federally but rather in specific regions and states leaving millions of potential victims in danger of being affected without any help knowingly available. Montgomery County is a county with the highest rates of death because of substance overdose; especially the county seat, Dayton (Winstanley et al, 2016).

Policy for Change

The impact of the overdose problem is so enormous that it has federal attention as the government is trying to work with state authorities to find a solution that will address substance use disorder. Advocating for social policy change in respect to the menace is critical since it will provide an avenue for quicker intervention when it comes to helping victims (McLellan, 2017). The county must set up guidelines on how to effectively intervene on cases that pertain substance abuse especially the use of heroin and other drugs.

The policies set forth by the regulatory authority in conjunction with the states of Ohio gives law enforcement and emergency medical professionals easy access to Narcan. This drug is specifically designed to reverse the effect of an overdose on a victim if it is done quicker (Winstanley et al, 2016). The Getting Recovery Option Working (GROW) program is an initiative that has been established so that law enforcement and EMT profession can periodically have a check on patients they helped revive using the drug (McGinty et al, 2018).

Reason for Change

The Narcan drug has proven effective; however, a major issue comes with the legislation house bill 4 that was passed in the Ohio state legislature that gives pharmacist an option to gives naloxone and similar drug to Narcan to anyone without any prescription. This provides a dangerous precedent where family, loved ones, and third parties have administration of the Narcan may be administered with enforcement follow up by periodically using it to reverse the effect of an overdose that might happen (McLellan, 2017). They can even use it before ingesting or injecting any drugs into their bodies.

Advocating for Change of Social Issue

Advocating to change this law is critical in the fight against SUD. This is because it will help in prevent many victims by preventing them to procure large amount of Narcan and therefore abuse it, creating another crisis within it (Winstanley et al, 2016). The social change is important to victims who are affected together with their families. Initiatives may be set up to educate them on the need to treat and manage SUD. Social policy changes will be medically equipped professional with law enforcement to have unlimited access to this drugs and doctors together with pharmacists must work hand in hand to help in reducing and managing the diagnosing by helping families affected by opiate overdose (McGinty et al, 2018). This is important in the overall implementation of strategies put in place to combat this menace (Curry-Stevens, 2006).

Long Term Impacts

A treatment and recovery guidelines set up by Montgomery County would be highly effective, as it will help those who are critically ill from the disorder. The mechanism put in place will entail that victims be strictly controlled by medical personnel in term of their rehabilitation and treatment (Curry-Stevens, 2006). The guidelines will help to identify those who are seriously in need of help and therefore act in accordance with protocols set in place to assist. Health and social worker will have a critical role in redesigned treatment regimen and advice on how to effectively put an end to a substance abuse (Ashenberg, & Senreich, 2002).

The goal of this advocacy is to have all stakeholders and authors, deal with these issues and establish clear guidelines that would be very impactful in managing SUD. This is because now no clear guidelines exist outside if NASW Code of Ethics for social work mandates and health professionals. Law enforcement is at the root and ground level of intervention with the critically ill. Leaving the person with SUD subject to prosecution instead of getting help that they desperately require (McGinty et al,2018).

Conclusion

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is illness that comes about after victims have liberally exploited substances, illegal drugs, abuse of legal drugs, and alcohol. The individuals with SUD often have other social issues and mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression. Often, SUD victims partake in the use of drugs as a means of coping. advocating for change in how these victims are being treated and taken care of is important.

References

Winstanley, E. L., Clark, A., Feinberg, J., & Wilder, C. M. (2016). Barriers to implementation of opioid overdose prevention programs in Ohio. Substance abuse, 37(1), 42–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2015.1132294

McLellan A. T. (2017). Substance Misuse and Substance Use Disorder (SUD)s: Why do they Matter in Healthcare? Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 128, 112–130.

Curry-Stevens, A. (2006). Rooting social policy advocacy in social movements. Canadian Review of Social Policy, (56), 113.

McGinty, E., Pescosolido, B., Kennedy-Hendricks, A., & Barry, C. L. (2018). Communication strategies to counter stigma and improve mental illness and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) policy. Psychiatric Services, 69(2), 136-146.

Ashenberg Straussner, S. L., & Senreich, E. (2002). Educating social workers to work with individuals affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD)s. Substance Abuse, 23(S1), 319-340.