SOC 5-2

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Local Communities

Jasmine Eaddy

SNHU

SOC 213

Prof. Grice

7/20/2024

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Local Communities

The US and local opioid crisis is the societal issue this proposal addresses. The opioid crisis is the rise in opioid use disorders, overdose, and deaths from heroin, prescription medications, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl (Rudd, 2020). Its effects on health, social and economic stability, and society's security make it contemporary. The opioid problem has increased addiction, overdose deaths, and health facility and police overcrowding in my neighbourhood.

Problem Description

Influential Social Variables and Determinants:

Socioeconomic position, availability and closeness to opioids, psychologic/mental health, and social environment are significant social determinants that led to opioid usage. Poverty, unemployment, and inadequate education are vulnerability factors for opioid use. Studies show that socially poor persons experience chronic pain and limited access to healthcare, which leads to opioid prescription and misuse (Dowell et al., 2022). Today's society's opiate availability and prescriptions from doctors are another cause. Self-medication and psychological problems such depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common among opiate users. Social context, such as family unfriendliness, peer influence, and other communal vices, also explains opiate abuse.

Local Influence

These social variables and determinants are analysed locally as follows. Populations with significant unemployment, job scarcity, and poverty have higher rates of substance addiction, especially opioids. Opioids are easily prescribed at neighbouring pharmacies and clinics, which has boosted addiction. It may be because mental health services are inadequate or inaccessible. Lack of social support and greater family breakdowns have also exacerbated the crisis. Policy measures in regions with strong local networks and high-quality communal programmes have reduced opioid addiction and dependence.

Global Influence

Social characteristics and determinants that drive opioid usage worldwide are similar but may vary. Fentanyl, a cheaper synthetic opioid, is illegally made and marketed in several nations, increasing its use. Poverty, lack of health care, and alcohol and drug treatment facilities are driving the global epidemic. Depression and substance use disorders, whether moderate or severe, are linked globally and affect stigmatisation and access to care (Earnshaw, 2020). In societies where mental health and substance dependency are not social vices, people can get treatment when they need it.

Local vs. Global Influences:

There are common and distinct socioeconomic elements and drivers that affect the opioid crisis locally and globally. Community factors like prescription opioids and demography contribute to the occurrences. Similar factors exist internationally, although opioid delivery, like synthetic opioids, may vary (Phillips et al., 2020). Prescription opioid abuse is a major issue in the US and Canada, while synthetic opioids may be the problem in Asia and Europe. Economic hardships, psychological illnesses, and societal situations all contribute to opiate addiction.

Approach

Public Discourse and Stereotypes

Society tends to sympathize as well stigmatize those who are affected by opioids and this makes it a challenge to address the problem. Society's and the public's preconceptions, prejudices, and presumptions may hamper opioid management. Misconceptions hinder policymaking to help affected people and promote prejudice and contempt. If opioid use disorders are solely significant to low-income or rural populations, then rich or urban residents may not receive enough support. When building tactics for a varied population, these stereotypical beliefs must be considered.

Personal Biases and Assumptions

I may have formed biases about "opioid addicts" because to films and society. I may recommend remedies that blame perpetrators and ignore other minor affected populations or systemic reasons like pharmaceutical company influence and healthcare legislation due to these biases. Recognising and recognising these biases is crucial when the inquiry expands beyond one element of the opioid issue. This is why casting light on such prejudices and simply mentioning them can provide one a more fair view of the epidemic and how it has affected society.

Using Sociological Theory to Limit Biases

Sociological theories like structural functionalism and conflict theory will be used to analyse the opioid crisis without bias. I can use structural functionalism to determine the contributions of different society structures to the problem by studying health care systems, economic activities, and family practices. Conflict theory can explain how asymmetrical power bases affect the pandemic through resource distribution. These ideas allow me to objectively assess the role of corporate activities and budgetary policies of giant pharmaceutical enterprises in the opioid problem without ethnocentrism.

References

Dowell, D., Ragan, K., Jones, C., Baldwin, G., & Chou, R. (2022). CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain — United States, 2022. MMWR. Recommendations and Reports, 71(3), 1–95. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr7103a1

Earnshaw, V. A. (2020). Stigma and substance use disorders: A clinical, research, and advocacy agenda. American Psychologist, 75(9), 1300–1311. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000744

Phillips, J. K., Ford, M. A., & Bonnie, R. J. (2020). Evidence on Strategies for Addressing the Opioid Epidemic. Nih.gov; National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK458653/

Rudd , R. A. (2020). Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths — United States, 2000–2014. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6450a3.htm