SOCW 6202 Week 9 - Discussion: Social Change Through Legislation

Week 9: Personal and Professional Policies, Processes, and Resources

Community resources like Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are important tools in addressing addiction. There are also many other important resources available other than 12-step support groups, but their existence is often dependent on public support, funding, and regulatory policies. Legislation that supports the funding of community resources to address addiction can make all the difference in providing support for people with problems with addiction in their work toward recovery.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Evaluate social change legislation

· Analyze interaction between social change legislation and professional codes of ethics

· Analyze social change implications for helping professionals

· Apply individual and community resources related to addiction recovery

· Evaluate 12-step programs for addiction recovery

Learning Resources

Note:  To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the  Course Materials  section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage.

· Chapter 27, "The Substance Use Disorders As a Disease of the Human Spirit" (pp. 376-388)

· Chapter 35, "Support Groups to Promote and Sustain Recovery" (pp. 493-505)

· Chapter 38, "The Debate Over Legalization" (pp. 543-555)

Required Media

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (2012). The twelve steps and twelve traditions online. Retrieved from http://www.aa.org/1212/

 

Note: The content of this, "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions", site can be viewed in a simple non-interactive format or in an interactive format. To view the content in an interactive format install the plugin as directed on the website.

Discussion: Social Change Through Legislation

The repercussions of addiction are among the most pressing health and social issues worldwide. Although billions of dollars are spent annually in the United States attacking the problem, public policies on funding have yet to be agreed upon and remain controversial. The controversy revolves around which public policies best deter addiction: those that criminalize acts associated with the disorder or those that treat the disorder (Doweiko, 2019).

Given the ever-changing nature of legislation, it is important to stay informed about the most current reforms and public policies that may promote social changes in addiction treatment.

For this Discussion, search the Internet and select current legislation as it relates to reform and social change for the treatment and prevention of addiction. Your search may include the following types of legislation.

· Legislation targeting the criminal aspects of drug abuse

· Legislation targeting prevention of drug abuse from an early age

· Legislation promoting harm-reduction efforts

· Legislation targeting treatment of substance abuse

Consider how federal and Ohio legislation has addressed addiction treatment and prevention. Research, review, and reflect on your professional code of ethics and how social legislation impacts an addiction professional's ability to adhere to the code.

Provide a 400-word Discussion Post providing the following content:

· A description of which type of legislation might be the most effective in bringing about lasting social change for the treatment and prevention of addiction and explain why.

· Explain how social change legislation might support or undermine the professional code of ethics.

· Finally, explain the potential implications for a helping professional.

· Support your response using this week’s resources and the current literature. Must contain at least 4 references and citations

Learning Resources

Note:  To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the  Course Materials  section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Doweiko, H. E. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency (10th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage.

· Chapter 27, "The Substance Use Disorders As a Disease of the Human Spirit" (pp. 376-388)

· Chapter 35, "Support Groups to Promote and Sustain Recovery" (pp. 493-505)

· Chapter 38, "The Debate Over Legalization" (pp. 543-555)

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (2012). The twelve steps and twelve traditions online. Retrieved from http://www.aa.org/1212/

 

Note: The content of this, "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions", site can be viewed in a simple non-interactive format or in an interactive format. To view the content in an interactive format install the plugin as directed on the website.