Question

Opioid crisis what can we do about it?

Opioid addiction is currently a public health crisis. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health, as well as social and economic welfare.” When an individual suffers from opioid addiction, chances are that many factors came into play.

After you have developed a solid understanding of SEM, answer the following questions:

What is the magnitude of the crisis? What are the impacts?

Which individuals do you think are at risk for opioid addiction? why? support your answer.

What do you think are the factors at the different social-ecological levels that are contributing to this public health crisis?

Based on your answers to questions 2 and 3, discuss two strategies to address the epidemic of opioid addiction.

Please cite the references and source

Answer 1

1) Opiod addiction is a very serious problem

Impact of opiod addiction can be categorised as follows

Physical- lethargy, Insomnia, Decreased appetite

Physiology- Various system disturbances

Psychological- Hallucinations, low self esteem, avolution( lack of motivation)

Social- Social isolation

2) Individuals with chronic illness are at a greater risk for opiod addiction eg cancer patients

As the patients with chronic illness develop a higher response for pain and take opiods for a longer duration, so are likely to develop addiction for them

3) Peer pressure, Hoplessness of cure from chronic diseases, Unemployment, Financial crises, Major medical illness, Family disturbances are some of the factors contributing to this crises

4) Opiod should be kept under strict supervision to prevent it's misuse

Awareness about harmful effects of opiods should be explained to public.