Opioid Overdose: A Serious Public Health Challenge - Report Example

Introduction

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 11.4 million people misused opiates in 2017 (Giroir, 2019). About 2.2 million Americans were reported to be suffering from opioid use disorder. In the same year, over 70,000 Americans died from an overdose of drugs (Giroir, 2019). Deaths resulting from opioid overdose pose a significant challenge to the public health system in America (Giroir, 2019). Various actors have come up with policies to help mitigate the problem of opiate overdose deaths and promote public health. This paper analyzes the procedures associated with opioid overdose and suggests what might be done about the currently debated policy.

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Policies That Have Impacted the Problem

Policies Targeting Drug Prescription Practices (Positive Impact)

The opioid use disorder is, in most cases, prescription induced. The various policies and interventions that target reformation of the clinical practices of opium prescriptions have significantly assisted in reducing the number of new cases (Nelson, Juurlink & Perrone, 2015). Offering provider education is essential in enhancing the development of appropriate clinical competencies of managing pain. Some of the professionals targeted include pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists, and physicians. Education on pain management allows them to understand the clinical protocols that should be followed when treating them (Nelson et al., 2015). Also, organizations and health actors' issuance of opioid prescription guidelines has helped guide healthcare professionals (Nelson et al., 2015). These efforts combined contribute to the effective implementation of opioid prescription policies that aim to prevent new cases of addiction or substance use disorder.

Free Trade Policies (Negative Impact)

Policies of free trade contribute to the growth of the economy by promoting business. However, these policies have contributed to the increase in opioid overdose-related deaths (Dean & Kimmel, 2019). These policies began in the wake of globalization trends. Since the year 2000, many American based companies, i.e., factories and industries, have closed down. Their termination is caused by increased competition with imports and outsourcing. Many people have, therefore, been rendered jobs. Like Appalachia, the most affected regions are experiencing opioid crises (Dean & Kimmel, 2019). In such areas, the deaths resulting from drug overdose are higher compared to other parts of the country where people are relatively employed.

Free trade has caused a trade crisis that has led to an opioid crisis. The policy reduces wages and employment levels among the less educated citizens working with the manufacturing industry (Dean & Kimmel, 2019). The individuals who lose their jobs and suffer reduced wages end up turning to drugs due to problems of stress and depression. Dean and Kimmel (2019) examined the relationship between opioid-related deaths and trade policies. They found out that the mortality rate associated with opiate overdose increased by 2.7% for every 1000 jobs lost (Dean & Kimmel, 2019). The free trade policies led to the rise in the supply of fentanyl and, at the same time, caused many people to lose their jobs. This led to a spike in deaths from overdose with fentanyl and other drugs.

Strengthening Medicaid and Medicare

Medicaid and increased medical coverage for patients battling with opioid use disorder help combat the crisis (AAP.org, 2020). The reforms of Medicaid would change coverage and eligibility requirements to benefit more people from the program. Some procedures, like drug testing, work requirements, and lockouts, undermine the successful implementation of treatment interventions (AAP.org, 2020). Therefore, doing away with such conditions would see many vulnerable individuals gaining access to medical care through Medicaid coverage.

Integrating comprehensive treatment benefits for substance use disorders will allow vulnerable individuals to benefit from Medicare (AAP.org, 2020). The program lacks such benefits that would cause a potential success for the programs designed to prevent opioid overdose deaths. Both Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement programs for medication-assisted treatment need to be adopted across the affected states. In many states, the reimbursement feature is not provided (AAP.org, 2020). Comprehensive reimbursement coverage for MAT will allow many patients to access treatment without the worry of financial costs. The programs should also be modified to accommodate psychological healthcare for the families affected. The services offered to families should be culturally competent and patient-centered to help families recover from parental substance use disorders successfully.

Conclusion

It is crucial to offer education on the impact of opioid overdose and the importance of interventions aimed to reduce mortality rates. This move will support the policy of reforming the Medicaid and Medicare programs. In the states where the plans are restrictive, the target population will be the actors implementing them. The information provided to them will help in changing their perception of these crucial reforms. In states where the policies provide for MAT reimbursement and are not restrictive, the affected population will be targeted. They will be educated on their rights about accessing healthcare services and the benefits they should be receiving from Medicare and Medicaid. Also, a public awareness campaign will be conducted at the national level to educate the healthcare providers and the public about the crisis in efforts to deal with stigma (AAP.org, 2020). Increasing access to trauma-informed psychological health services will help the patients deal with the challenge of shame (AAP.org, 2020).

References

AAP.org. (2020). Addressing the Opioid Epidemic. AAP.org. Retrieved 25 July 2020, from
https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Substance-Use-and-Prevention/Pages/addressing-the-opioid-epidemic.aspx.

Dean, A., & Kimmel, S. (2019). Free trade and opioid overdose death in the United States. SSM-population health, 8, 100409.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100409

Giroir, B. P. (2019). The opioid epidemic and emerging public health policy priorities.
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/opioids/opioid-epidemic-and-emerging-public-health-policy-priorities

Nelson, L. S., Juurlink, D. N., & Perrone, J. (2015). Addressing the opioid epidemic. Jama, 314(14), 1453-1454. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458653/