The opioid epidemic in America

The opioid epidemic in America

Abstract

The opioid epidemic has had devastating consequences for all American communities. Notably, the opioid crisis adds to the most severe public health emergencies. Opioid crisis accounts for many deaths every day. For instance, this health ailment claims more lives when compared to homicides or fatalities from car accidents. The crisis has led pregnant women to give birth to children suffering from withdrawal syndrome. Countries in America have put varying efforts to curb opioid. Joint principles will significantly help address the current crisis. In the attempt to alleviate the opioid epidemic, the American health department should partner with NGOs such as WHO to focus as well as prioritize to significantly improve access to treatment for the victims of the opioid crisis. The successful implementation of the proposed solution will substantially reduce the overall cases of opioid crisis victims.

Introduction

The opioid epidemic is a significant health problem that has devastating consequences. For instance, increased opioid misuse is one of the significant impacts resulting from the crisis. It is important to note that the opioid crisis adds to the fundamental continental problems that are affecting numerous countries. Also, opioid misuse has stimulated an increase in the number of incidences of children born with a withdrawal syndrome. Due to its adverse effects, the opioid epidemic has attracted the attention of the American government and other non-governmental organizations. After declaring it as a public health emergency, the Trump administration has taken different actions and approaches in the effort of addressing the epidemic.

Literature Review

Research shows that approximately 42000 people died of opioid overdoses in the year 2016 (HHS. GOV/OPIOIDS, n.d). For instance, the ailment has claimed more lives when compared to homicides or deaths from car accidents. The American government has been focusing on this particular issue for a couple of years now. Countries in America have put varying efforts to curb the opioid epidemic (Vashishtha et al. 2017). The findings of a research study conducted by the National Institute of Drug Abuse show that one hundred and thirty individuals die every day in the U.S. as a result of opioids overdoses. Indeed, according to NIH, addiction to opioids poses a significant threat to public health, not forgetting it affecting social welfare in a negatively. Opioid overdose is an economic burden to the U.S. (NIH, 2020).

The results of a research study conducted by the Yale School of Medicine, changing attitudes, and screening for care are some of the strategies that can be used to effectively combat the opioid crisis (Yale School of Medicine, n.d). Referring to information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is vital to adopt joint principles while addressing the opioid crisis issue that has a significant impact the society at large. The opioid epidemic has negatively touched various parties accounting for many daily deaths. For instance, opioid overdose has led victims to suffer from severe disorders. Pregnant women make the largest percentage of opioid crisis victims. The epidemic has led women to give birth to children suffering from what is referred to as neonatal abstinence syndrome. Furthermore, the ailment has stimulated an increase in maternal mortality rates. Also, many siblings have been reported to have experienced trauma when their parents are diagnosed with relative substance use disorders (AAP, n.d).

Clarke et al. (2016) conducted a study to determine the major health implications as well as potential solutions to the opioid crisis in America. The researchers of this study see the current epidemic as a frightening reality. The legitimately prescribed medications greatly fuel the epidemic. The participants of this particular study are individuals who have been touched by the epidemic. The researchers adopted a qualitative research design. , Random sampling method was adopted to select the study participants. Well-designed questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents (Clarke et al., 2016).

The findings of their study show that the opioid crisis has evolved over the years. One of the factors contributing to the prominence of the opioid epidemic is the lack of work ethics among physicians. For instance, the findings of the study show that physicians working in the U.S. health department used to overprescribe opioids. Further, the results of the study indicate that approximately seventy-five percent of individuals who are the victim of prescription misuse consumed drugs that were prescribed to other people. Besides, the study found that opioids diversions had a negative effect on healthcare economics. Also, the medical ailment brings forth unintended consequences and much pain to its victims (Clarke et al. 2016). The researchers engaged in the study argue that it is a crucial moral imperative to manage pain from the ailment effectively. Various concerned parties that are committed to addressing the epidemic should implement well-defined interdisciplinary treatment approaches and provide support services to victims of the crisis. Pain is multifactorial, and it is, therefore, crucial to optimize the overall health outcomes of the victims of the epidemic.

Proposed Solution

To successfully alleviate the opioid epidemic in America, the health department, in partnership with WHO, should focus and prioritize to significantly improve access to treatment for individuals affected by the opioid crisis (Graeme, 2017). Secondly, the two institutions should promote the use of the commonly referred to as overdose-reversing drugs. Thirdly, the WHO must execute distinct programs that will help people to understand the crisis better. In this case, public health surveillance would play a critical role in equipping individuals with knowledge about the epidemic. The WHO should actively engage medical research agencies to conduct cutting-edge research on the opioid epidemic. Further, such medical institutions should help discover better opioid misuse prevention strategies.  Healthcare professionals should also implement advanced pain management practices (In Bonnie et al., 2017).

Moreover, to address the opioid crisis, it is essential to reduce not only the demand but also the over-prescription of opioids. WHO should conduct campaigns and educate individuals on the dangers of opioids. In addition, the government should cut the trade involving illicit drugs. Cutting supply chains will reduce their usage in America. Worth mentioning, evidence-based treatment should be used to help the victims of the opioid crisis.

Expected Outcomes

The successful implementation of the proposed solution will significantly reduce the overall cases of opioid crisis victims. Indeed, the medical disorders associated with this ailment. Most importantly, the proposed solution will reduce the number of deaths resulting from the epidemic. The number of children born with neonatal abstinence syndrome and those that get trauma will also reduce significantly. The proposed solutions that involve the viable strategies will help victims to recover from the ailments, not forgetting relieving their pain.

Conclusion

The existence, as well as the severity of the opioid epidemic, is evident in the society following its unending consequences. It is, therefore, crucial to take appropriate measures and adopt viable strategies in the effort of minimizing the overall impacts of the epidemic. The most appropriate way to reduce the effect of this particular problem is to reduce people’s exposure to opioids. Medical agencies should execute extensive research to invent viable as well as practical alternatives that can replace opioid drugs and minimize the probable health risks that are associated with the medical ailment. WHO should conduct educative campaigns to sensitize individuals on the opioid crisis and how to overcome its devastating consequences. Victims of the opioid epidemic undergo medical interventions to recover from the ailment effectively. The society should change its attitudes and perceptions towards opioids addicts or individuals suffering from various disorders resulting from the opioid crisis. It is important to synergistically combat efforts to address the opioid epidemic and reduce its overall consequences. If the opioid epidemic is not effectively addressed, it will continually grow its roots and pose more severe consequences. Indeed, the number of deaths resulting from the crisis will increase significantly.

Recommendations

The government, NGOs, and individuals should combine efforts and adopt distinct strategies to combat the opioid crisis. Healthcare professionals need to be actively engaged in halting substance use disorder. Besides, changing attitudes is a viable strategy that can be used to combat the opioid epidemic in America. The society should change its negative attitudes towards the first victims of opioid and contribute to helping them recover from the same. The concerned parties that are the government and NGOs should fully commit to addressing the opioid epidemic by adopting comprehensive approaches. Educating parties on to curb the situation, improving access to quality care not forgetting eliminating stigmatization that is associated with addiction are some of the approaches that should be adopted in the effort of addressing the severe opioid epidemic. All efforts meant to address OUD should be solely based on scientific evidence.

References

AAP, (n.d). Addressing the Opioid Epidemic. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Substance-Use-and-Prevention/Pages/addressing-the-opioid-epidemic.aspx

Clarke, J. L., Skoufalos, A., & Scranton, R. (2016). The American opioid epidemic: population health implications and potential solutions. Report from the National Stakeholder Panel. Population health management, 19(S1), S-1.

Graeme, D. W. (2017). The opioid epidemic of America: What you need to know about the opiate and opioid crisis. And how we can heal from it.

HHS. GOV/OPIOIDS, (n.d). What is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic? Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/about-the-epidemic/index.html

In Bonnie, R. J., In Ford, M. A., In Phillips, J., National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.). National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.). & National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (U.S.). (2017). Pain management and the opioid epidemic: balancing societal and individual benefits and risks of prescription opioid use

NIH (2020). Opioid Overdose Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

Vashishtha, D., Mittal, M. L., & Werb, D. (2017). The North American opioid epidemic: current challenges and a call for treatment as prevention. Harm reduction journal, 14(1), 7.

Yale School of Medicine (n.d). New Strategies for Combating the Opioid Epidemic. Retrieved from https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/new-strategies-for-combating-the-opioid-epidemic/