10A1-00 - Policy Action Plan

10A1-00 - POLICY ACTION PLAN

For this project, identify an issue of public concern that interests you and use it as the basis for developing a policy action plan. This plan will give you the opportunity to apply what you have learned about leadership in public administration by demonstrating how you would use your personal leadership style to advance an important public cause. To demonstrate these competencies include a profile of your leadership style as well as references to leadership theories you have explored during the course. You will also develop a problem statement, identify key stakeholders who could be rallied to support the plan, and devise a proposal suggesting how the problem should be addressed.

To successfully complete this project, you will be expected to:

1. Analyze leadership theories and their evolution.

2. Illustrate methods of applying leadership theories.

3. Evaluate the impact of systems theory on leadership in the field.

4. Assess strategies for change in a diverse community based on leadership theories.

5. Apply critical thinking and communications skills to leadership theories in the field.

To achieve a successful project experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following requirements.

For your course project you will synthesize the knowledge of leadership theory and practice you have acquired throughout this course to create a policy action plan and recommend a strategy for implementing it. Your final project should include:

· An executive summary (1 page).

· A literature review of leadership theory and its application to public administration (4 pages).

· A problem statement (2 pages synthesized from Unit 3 assignment 1 and Unit 8 assignment 1) that includes:

· An analysis of the overarching problem your action plan will address.

· A definition of the specific problem you are addressing within the overarching context.

· A statement of the scope of the specific problem you are addressing.

· An evaluation of how systems theory influenced your problem definition (Unit 8 discussion 1).

· An action plan that includes (3 pages):

· A stakeholder profile summary in narrative form (synthesized from Unit 7 assignment 1).

· A plan for organizing a coalition that reflects a synthesis of the information from:

· The stakeholder profile summary (Unit 7 assignment 1and Unit 7 discussion 2).

· Your study of the implications of cultural diversity on determining leadership approaches (Unit 5 discussion 2).

· Additional leadership theories that might aid in coalition building.

· A policy recommendation and an evaluation of how systems theory influenced the chosen solution.

· An implementation proposal that focuses on leadership strategies.

· A personal leadership profile (5 pages) composed of:

· Your personal vision and its relationship to the needs and values of the constituents affected by your policy action plan (synthesized from Unit 2 assignment 1).

· An assessment of your strengths and weaknesses as a leader (synthesized from Unit 5 assignment 1).

· A description of how you will use your personal leadership style to support the policy action plan.

· Conclusion and recommendations, including a discussion of leadership strategies to ensure long term viability (2 pages).

· References.

· Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.

· APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA (6th Edition) style and formatting .

· Number of resources: Minimum of 12 resources.

· Length of paper: 17 typed double-spaced pages.

· Font and font size: Times New Roman, 10 point.

Criteria

Evaluates leadership theories and their evolution.

Illustrated methods of applying leadership theories to a public problem and demonstrates advanced critical analysis skills.

Develops an approach to resolving a public problem that incorporates a systems theory approach. Contrasts with other theoretical approaches.

Synthesizes strategies for change in a diverse community based on leadership theories.

Presents a seminal and cogent analysis of the integration of theory, policy, and leadership practice.

LEADERSHIP MIND MAP – U2A1-00

The first component of a personal vision of leadership is courage. To have braveness requires self-belief. The quality leaders are very assured in themselves and their thoughts, which allow them to be decisive. But, they should be capable of exude that confidence without conveying arrogance or intimidation! Great leaders have the ability to make tough decisions and are inclined to take risks, even if traditional wisdom could dictate otherwise. They must be willing to stand by myself if they consider in their convictions. This is without delay associated with their visionary talents, strategic questioning and their self-confidence.

The second component of a personal vision of leadership is good communication skills. Great leaders do now not should be incredible orators or awesome writers. What is required is that they're inspirational and persuasive. They can speak and write to the audience’s level. They speak in a way that generates purchase-in and inclined fans. Good leaders must usually be trustworthy, even delivering the horrific information whilst suitable. But, they commonly exude a high-quality mind-set and are visible as optimistic, even in the most troubling of times. Even in the event that they do not have a professional background or training in sales, leaders often exhibit elements of effective selling competencies. They can strengthen their thoughts in a logical and comprehensible manner to all tiers of the organization

Another component of a personal vision of leadership is vision. Outstanding leaders see the entire picture and do no longer get too targeted on unique tasks or tasks. They have deep understanding of related industries/groups and are strategic thinkers. They regularly have sturdy networks and constantly become aware of essential tendencies early of their life cycle. They are excellent at communicating an imaginative and prescient of the future and getting organizational buy-in. Strong leaders understand their goal clients; recognize the corporation's value proposition and additionally, its competitive weaknesses. They major on enhancing center capabilities of the employer and developing the talents and competencies to be able to enhance their cost proposition.

Among the goal relating to leadership is listening. Extraordinary leaders know they don't have every one of the appropriate responses. They focus on asking more inquiries, and tuning in to the appropriate responses. Listening is one of the most ideal approaches to show colleagues that you esteem their conclusions and think about their prosperity. Listening is vital to all compelling correspondence. Without the capacity to listen viably, messages are effectively misjudged. Accordingly, correspondence separates and the sender of the message can without much of a stretch wind up plainly baffled or bothered.

Another goal relating to leadership is innovation. Great leaders are continuously running on fixing large problems or developing and innovating new methods to do things.  One of the benefits of a revolutionary place of business is the usage of area to increase productivity and worker pleasure whilst at work. According to the General Services Administration, one of these places of job has sufficient room for employees to sense free to transport round. There must be access to herbal mild and out of doors views. There ought to be locations wherein personnel can meet to discuss standards privately in small companies as well as large meeting rooms.

The first barrier that will need to be overcome to achieve the vision is arrogance. Despite the fact that certainty is an imperative administration quality, having excessively quite a bit of this is considered as haughtiness. In the event that you are a pioneer you will be required to utilize your certainty to impact others and to convey aim and thoughts. This data ought to be conveyed in a roused way that energizes and inspires others. Certainty nonetheless, tends to develop if not oversaw legitimately, and when this happens self-importance assumes control and starts to make requests.

The second barrier that will need to be overcome to achieve the vision is disorganization. A group will look to their pioneer for instance of how things ought to be finished. On the off chance that a pioneer always works at a hysterical pace yet completes pretty much nothing, or requests data commonly however neglects to move an aim without hesitation, it makes a confused express that stops the stream of advance. This disarranged method for working likewise unleashes stress and disappointment and effects on all individuals from a group. A pioneer should in this manner have the capacity to sort out their timetable with the goal that it urges others to take after the case. By being sorted out a pioneer additionally shows a more extensive choice of aptitudes and administration ability.

Another barrier that will need to be overcome to achieve the vision is untrustworthiness. Without trust it is extremely troublesome for a pioneer to inspire others to do as they inquire. A pioneer needs to grant learning, data and thoughts in a way that exhibits genuineness and respectability. On the off chance that others don't believe a pioneer they will wind up noticeably impervious to whatever the pioneer proposes or requires. To propel and move others a pioneer in this manner needs to rouse trust, and in addition act as needs be in any circumstance. This is best accomplished by being straightforward and dependable at all circumstances.

Presented here below is a visual representation of the vision statement.

References

Jackson, A. (2016). Concept Map of Leadership and Management . Florence: European Univ. Institute.  

Kendrick, A. (2010). Leadership theories: Concept map of leadership and management . Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press.

Lamarck, S. T. (2014). Concept map of leadership and management . Canberra: Govt. Printer of Australia.

OVERALL COMMENTS FROM PROFESSOR FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT: You have captured the essence of the assignment by focusing how the various facets of your life interacted with the other elements therein. In this regard, you should have also reflected upon you’re your family may relate to your vision attainment effort as per exercise 4.1.  You should also recognize the intrinsic value of your effort in terms of the continuing educational realm; this area will help you to overcome key barriers as you continue your work to attain and maintain an emerging vision.  Also, you provided good analysis as to the nature of the framework related your vision.  In this sense, you have come to understand with key barriers as related to your goals.  Finally, you offer a helpful graphic of your vision as it highlights the steps you need to take to attain your vision as a leader.

DEFINING THE PROBLEM – U3A1-00

  Residential property taxes are a primary source of local government financing and the cost of owning a house. Homeowners view rising house prices favorably, but raising the property tax according to the house value is not viewed in the same light. When house prices move up rapidly, there is the concern by the public about property taxes increasing (Schiller, 2015). This makes the real estate sector among the heavily taxed sectors. The united states tax all its citizens, Domestic Corporation and trust on as their income despite where it’s earned.  Policies ought to be implemented to make sure that property taxes on residential homes are affordable and make it for most people to own homes.

Policy entrepreneurs in the sector of real estate should formulate different innovative strategies that make property taxes on residential houses without putting their interest first. They should first identify the group of people who are affected by the taxes, secondly formulate strategies to tackle this problem and finally push for reforms using the involved organization. The owners of the real estate properties are among the key stakeholders and should be actively involved in finding a remedy to the property tax concerns for the citizen buying their properties. The agreement should be made by the policy makers involved. An entire definition of the problem identified and other problems associated with the concern stated. A broad range of solutions should be of solutions identified, and the suitable one agreed on, a plan or policy formulated which is legally and morally accepted another policy should be reviewed to ensure all aspects of the concerned are met (Sihna, 2016).

Transformation leadership should be used to critically analyze and evaluate the problem. These should be done in three phases which include high, middle and low stages. In all the stages should be involved of the participants affected by the problem. At high levels leaders who help identify whether the property taxes on real estate is an issues concern or not and if it is a problem does it require any policy making. If there is need of action what are the purpose of the actions. To identify the problem the leader to mobilize people at different levels and get their views on the public concern. A safe place to let out their ideas and concern should be addressed. This helps ensure the key stakeholders in the public concern that their problem and the policies to be made are taken well into consideration of their problem.

      The strategies made under transformational leadership are for the common good. The strategies can be done in three different approaches to come up with policies to solve the problem these approaches include adapting known solutions, searching for solution known that are not known to the group and developing the innovative solution. Apart from identifying the solution, they should identify which solution is likely to be interesting to the key stakeholders and which is likely to be supported by them and the broader public. This analysis is helpful in placing the problem, identifying one or more promising solutions on the public agenda. Hence creating a public issue which might attract policy makers and other affected parties who might influence the formulation adoption, and implementation of the specific policies (Evren M. tok, Lolwah R. Alkhater, Leslie A. Pal, 2016).

  The problem can be redefined under the system theory to ensure the policies solution made are for the common and for purposes of sustainability. Under this focus is shifted from forums to areas. Problems are addressed in the manner that is technically and administratively feasible, economical acceptable legally and ethically responsible (Van, 2006). The focus is played in different areas to view the problem at different aspects and for various parties to give their understanding of the problem. Negotiation and bargaining are common at this phase. The discussion should establish with different parties such rea estate developed, constructing companies, politician, and real estate owners to come up with alternatives policies and exchange them with another, speak up of relative merits of their option and finally engage in the successful decision design.

Leadership theories are different, and their application in policy making may result in different policy outcome. Participative leadership every stakeholder is involved the process of decision-making, and policy formulation and the outcome of the policy attends to put into consideration all the issues raised by the different stakeholders. In participative leadership, communications are facilitated and different ideas shared, and the best decision is made and communicated back to the respective parties (Anit, 2010). The policy outcomes of this leadership tend to be for the common.

     Situational leadership there is no engagement of the different stakeholders and the decision is not agreed on, but it’s for the common good. If policies are to be made on how property tax are to be reduced on real estate, in the case of situational leadership the government under the ministry of housing comes up with policies to address the issue affecting the real estate owners without engaging the different stakeholders involved in the real house sector. Hence the policies made might tend to address the real concern and may not have the common good of the public resulting in undesirable outcomes.

   Depending the type of leadership style policy entrepreneurs decides to use to solve the problem, the common good of the public concern should be the priority when they formulate the solution to solve the concern. And this greatly influence the policy outcome and its adoption by policy makers.  

References

Anit, S. (2010, March 19). Participative Leadership. Retrieved from Sage Journals: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1094670510361745

Evren M. tok, Lolwah R. Alkhater, Laslie A. Pal. (2016, August 11). Policy-Making in Transformative State: The case of Qatar. Policy Making in Transformative Leadership, PP.1-33.

Schiller, T. (2015). Property Tax and Assessment Practice. What Its Worth, 2-3.

Sihna, R. (2016, December 16). 2016: A Year of Policy. Retrieved from Housing: https://housing.com/news/tag/policy-changes/

Van, M.D. (2006). System Leadership: Expectationa Leaders for Expectional Times. System Leadership for Children’s Service in U.S., 4-7.

OVERALL COMMENTS FROM PROFESSOR FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT You apply some of the facets of the “six-steps” approach, as it relates to the area of residential property taxes, in a manner that provides an overview of the problem as such. With that said, you must examine and further integrate and apply the material/research products and academic literature that relates to this complex topical area. This literature, in turn, will help you to further develop and define the nature of the problem that relates to your topical area. From another vantage, you need to review and apply the notion of subsystems in terms of your analysis pertaining to this problem area in an explicit, detailed manner. For instance, you should examine how community groups, advocacy entities, elected/appointed officials and research centers that impact this problem area from a subsystem vantage. Moreover, you must apply the literature in terms of your analysis relating to the redefinition of the problem. With that said, you did apply some of the key leadership theories that relate well to this topical area. However, you need to support your posts pertaining to these leadership theories with the literature.

From an editing perspective, you must edit your narrative as you are not consistently applying the APA formatting convention properly; you must apply the lower-case and upper-case lettering as aligned with the APA requirements accordingly (see example Agranoff example of a Journal citation and Barnard of a book below and your reference for alignment for corrective action purposes):

CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND PUBLIC LEADHERSHIP – 05D2

Implications of Cultural Diversity

Interactions of people from diverse social and cultural backgrounds form part of a global economy with radial competition from across all continents leading to increased globalization. However, managing this workplace diversity remains a considerable organizational challenge which managers must be ready to handle if the associated high productivity potential and competitive advantage is to be realized. One of the vital components of effective workforce management is sound management and valuation of its diversity. On the contrary, unmanaged people diversity can be very detrimental in not only realizing organizational goals but also on individual behavior and the development and practice of theories.

In the Arabian Gulf, the inconsistencies of the culture reveal the dilemma of the natives as shown by the desire for change and stability making it difficult to develop consistent management theories. The Arabians’ implicit leadership theory bred on conformity and dependency on social norms has resulted in limited ability to initiate change. It is however notable that improved infrastructure and exposure to the foreign world has awakened an increasing acceptance of contemporary work methods such as flexibility, consultation and future orientation. For the implementation of implicit leadership theories, laws and regulations need to be legislated on leaders’ accountability and performance oriented behavior as (Moran, Abramson, & Moran, 2014, p. 42) states in his book.

In dealing with complex issues, multicultural organizations possess enhanced ability in extracting expanded meanings, multiple perspectives and better problem-solving qualities. Additionally, diversity in an organization also brings flexibility and adaptability to changes. The benefits of broad base talents in technology industries and the high-quality workforce surplus cannot be overlooked in ethnic-diverse institutions.

The negative implications associated with diversity of culture in organizations are without doubt damaging. Problem solving and other mitigation processes are very costly as far as time and financial resources are concerned at times these situations can stretch into dysfunctional conflicts. The negative dynamics and clashes of culture associated with diversity in organizational set ups can result detractions in overall productivity of the participants leading to adverse effects on the economy. Finally, equality is symbolized in a diverse organizational workforce and if not well attended to can have adverse effects on the organization’s reputation.

References

Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences. London: Taylor and Francis.

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP PROFILE – U5D3-00

Assessment of Personal Leadership Styles

The assessment of personal leadership styles is dependent on the community settings where leaders must deal with people with wide arrays of leadership attitudes, customs and experiences. This situation therefore poses challenges to identification of effective tools and methods for evaluating personal leadership in organizational and community settings. It is however important to pursue inherent educational methods that incorporate respect for the life experiences and easy to communicate to the subjects. This state can only be achieved through incorporation of leadership that can inspire and mobilize collective action for the common good for all.

The approach presented by Crosby and Bryson explores a leadership style that seeks to finding solutions to pressing public problems through formation, adoption and implementation of a public policy that honors the promises made to the participants. Their political leadership approach illustrates use of power in initiating and delivering change. It is a style that forges the way for advancement of a personal agenda through empowering and engaging others in leadership. One of the requisites of this style is the possession of skills to work effectively in intellectually diversified environment. Power management, conflicts resolution, coalition development and addressing issues arising from integration and involvement of team players are among the values that govern this leadership style as depicted by (Prastacos, Wang, &Soderquist, 2012, p. 35).

The stakeholders’ level of commitment is a critical aspect of power leadership in which the dynamics between participants need to be explored. It is a charismatic, servant and laissez-faire style that spur others to action while raising team morale through provision of job tools, inclusive decision making and regulated feedbacks collectively leading to job satisfaction and increased productivity.

This comprehensive approach requires effective mobilization to management of diversity among the participants and subjects. Lack of proper diversity management may draw communication breakdown leading to complex conflicts (Salas, Goodwin, & Burke, 2012, p. 28). Culture clashes may hinder cooperation leading to adverse effects on productivity of the participants due to frustrations. Negativity may arise due to unprecedented internal competition rising from biased conflict resolution, mentorship and empowerment based on cultural differences.

In making this assessment of personal leadership styles, I would like to express the areas of leadership styles that play a very important role in my life as well as in the lives of others to whom I encounter. As both a visionary leader and a transitional leader, there are several earmarks that I must consider as a public administrator:

1. Ethical Leadership – being able to recognize, understand and articulate one’s own values when it pertains to the others, becomes very critical in making sound decisions. It is also very important to be able to identify and determine this asset in the performance and allegiance in those you oversee or employ, as well as the growth of the company.

2. Loyalty and Respect – is a value that all leaders should be able to express with the companies work ethic. As an administrator and pastor, this is one leadership quality that I must ascertain in all that I do. It also creates a safe environment for both employer and employee as well as stakeholders to trust.

3. History of Fair Dealing – When your word of communication and your actions are of integrity and honesty, all stakeholders, participants, and the community will be willing to continue working with you. They trust your opinion in their affairs and would highly recommend and continue to support the work you as a public leader have shown you are capable to do. This brings about an action of Trust.

4. Building Trust – In some of today’s business and as we see in the political arena. There is a lot of corruption and people demand accountability. In my position as stated in one of my earlier papers, I oversee the financial aspect as well as insuring the well-being of the persons we are contracted with. I must ensure that all levels of workers must adhere to polices so that we operate in a manner that infuses trust in all relationships.

5. Inspire and Create Vision in Others - one of my responsibility is to create vision and to inspire my employees as well as my clients. I want them to be passionate and excited about what they are doing. I believe this value will benefit the team and help them to explore their own personal values.

In conclusion, my own personal leadership profile is that of ethics, value, commitment, customer satisfaction, team building, appreciation, and diversity.

References

Prastacos, G. P., Wang, F., &Soderquist, K. E. (2012). Leadership and Management in a Changing World: Lessons from Ancient Eastern and Western Philosophy. Dordrecht: Springer.

Salas, E., Goodwin, G. F., & Burke, C. S. (2012). Team effectiveness in complex organizations: Cross-disciplinary perspectives and approaches. New York: Routledge.

STAKEHOLDER PROFILE – U7A1-00

INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

Employees

The workers of an organization are mostly affected directly by the decision made by the management of the business. Change in policies by the Directorate affects them, and they can even oppose the plan action. Also, their work affects the performance of the company.

Management

They make the final decision in the company and implement them. They can also cause changes in the plan of the organization. They support action plan.

Owners

They are directly affected by the decision made by the organization. Since they are the people who offer financial assistance, there is every need to involve them in decision making. They are mostly likely to support any action plane.

EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

Suppliers

They are the persons who supply raw materials to the organization. Therefore, their actions affect the action plan of the organization. So, the company should involve them in decision making.

Shareholders

They assist the performance of the organization through offering liquid finance. If they decide to sell their shares unexpectedly, it will affect the action plane of the business.

Customers

They keep on changing their needs. As a result, they are mostly likely to oppose the motion plane of the company.

Maintain the level of interest and engage the stakeholders through consulting them. Ensure you move them to the right though it may be a risk in the management ideas.	Manage closely involve in projects and decision on a regular bases.
Have low priority and monitor through minimal effort.	Keep on informing the stakeholders on your activities. Consult the group through involvement.

Low High

Stakeholders
Criteria used to access the coalition’s actual and potential performance	Our sense of their judgments about our performance
	Very good	Ok	Poor
Ethic	·	·
Physical capability	·	·
Training and evaluation	·	·
Age		·	·
Gender		·	·

Conclusion

Therefore, there should be a transformational leadership which is best postured to run the business, and it starts from the premises. Also, it suggests that if you bring together the appropriate people in a constructive way with useful information, they will create authentic visions and strategies for addressing the shared concern of the organization (Dugan, 2016). As a result, it helps in reducing opposition to the action plan of the firm. A behavioral theory of leadership is the assumption that aid in building a coalition in the business. It shows how their behaviors affect the business. Democratic leaders are the best since they allow the stakeholders to contribute to decision and action plan development. Therefore, firms should adopt a policy that allows all parties concerned to contribute to work plan development.

References

Dugan, J. P. (2016). Leadership theory. Placed of publication not identified: New York: John Wiley & Sons.

OVERALL COMMENTS FROM PROFESSOR FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT: You provide for helpful overview in terms of your review as to the roles assumed by the various stakeholders from a general perspective.  However, I am unclear as to how these leadership areas relate to and/or align with the a specific problem that area that is theoretically  under consideration.  Although you highlight some stakeholders in terms of your power-interest grid matrix, the alignment of this policy/problem area must be rendered much clearer in nature as it relates to the overall nature of this assignment.  Such an alignment will then provide greater value in terms of the overall application in terms of the nature of your  grid and stakeholder worksheet. For the final paper you will also need to capture any critical maintenance/management issues that may emerge concerning your topic, as  and then apply the needed adjustment(s).

THE LEADERSHIP AND STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIP – U7D2-00

LEADER-STAKEHOLDER COALITION

A good leader should have the capability of building a good relationship with their stakeholders and create a friendly environment for all the interested parties in the organization. Manager and stakeholder collaboration results into leadership. Leaders who are more effect and those who build a real coalition with every member in the business are the directors who understand the type of people they are leading. The relationship can happen as a result of actions, value, and concept (In Nkrumah, 2014). These are the primary elements that bridge the formation of a stable coalition. Amongst these, the value is the most importance ideals that guide the priorities and are core to an organization. They tie people together; help them to set visions and its effects on what to do as a firm. As a result, all the members in the business feel that they are part of the organization and they carry out their duties efficiently. 

However, other elements act as a pitfall of the coalition. One of the items is unreliable means of passing information. Lack of efficient data flow it leads to disagreement in the organization threatening the level of the coalition. Failure to involve all the stakeholders in decision making is another factor that can result in the wrong alliance in any firm. Here the top management may take all the responsibilities of making the decisions, and as a result, it becomes hard to implement them. Some of the policies that they come up with may affect the functionality of the employees in the organization. Due to this, they never feel as if they are part of the business. The workers end up carrying out their duties and highly depend on close supervision because failure to that they will not take their responsibilities well.

Reference

In Nkrumah, Y.K. (2014). Accelerating health reforms through collective action.

PROBLEM STATEMENT – U8A1-00

Introduction and Historical Overview of the Problem

Drug addiction is a gradual process and does not just happen overnight. From long ago, humans have found ways to alter levels consciousness by taking substance that maybe harmful to their bodies. Driven by different motives, people of all age, gender and race have had, or dealt with the problem of drug addiction in their lives. In the USA, the problem has far reaching consequences and it is worrying that our teenagers and youth are the most affected of all. Most accidents of all sorts be it firearms or cars have been linked to alcohol and substance abuse.

To maintain their lifestyle, addicts may resort in criminal activity and drug abuse has been known to be a major contributor to the spread of HIV/AIDS among youths. What starts are sharing a good time with friends after school, or having some wine after a long day’s work soon becomes need for the body. And in no time, the only goal in life becomes getting high, and a downward spiral of life takes course. Drug addicts fall into self-inflicted pain that they perceive only opioids can relieve. Within no time, they have hit rock bottom and this is addiction at its worst. With large amounts of these toxics drugs ingested every day for a long time comes toxic psychosis. This is never a pleasant feeling and it is very heart-breaking to the family seeing their loved one in this state.

Why the Problem was Selected

Drug addiction can be said to be a severe, relapsing illness where an individual develops psychological and physical dependence on drugs, such that the desire to use drugs is overpowering, despite the knowledge of the repercussions. Despite the statistical data put up and the information available on numerous platforms the drug abuse problem is still at large and has a way of affecting our day to day lives. It could be at the office, at home or at school. It is also difficult to determine the actual scale of drug abuse, and as an evil affecting the young and working population. It needs to be addressed. The systems theory helps us understand why people misuse substance up to the point of addiction. It is a framework on the best way to handle the case.

Overview of the Approach Used

To curb drug abuse within the society and according to the systems theory, we use the multidimensional approach which will address different influences on one’s drug abuse patterns. As such everyone in the community will be involved in addressing the problem. It is also designed such that everyone has a role to play, be it the family, the addict themselves, the medical practitioners, the drug producers, among others.

Overarching Problem

In drug and substance abuse the real danger is addiction. Not all those who take drugs eventually end up addicts, addiction begins when people develop tolerance for the substance which causes them to use it in higher quantities and more frequently. One is only cured of addiction when they get off the drug and the body is cured off chemical dependency.

Drug Addiction as the Specific Problem

One dollar of every 14dollars of the national health care bill is spent to treat those suffering from smoking related illness alone. The drug addiction problem affects from the family level through the society to the government. Most of domestic violence reported is because of substance abuse at the time of the incident. Addiction sure does lead to death either as a direct course (through suicide) or indirectly through related illness. The good news is that addiction can be cured and when systems theory applies, it fosters a better relation in the society and greater balance for an individual.

Statement of the Scope of the Problem

We interact with the problem of drug abuse in our lives and it is on a growing trend. With pharmaceuticals growing in use as substance abused, the public has placed little emphasis on this problem. With growing broken homes and depressed persons across the country, many lose the harmony that brings balance in their lives. This would result in a dysfunctional scenario and as the statistics show, drug abuse is easily taken up. It has become a global issue as almost all the countries are affected by it in one way or another.

How Systems Theory Influenced Problem Definition

Humans exist within a set of nested systems that have influence over individuals. Individuals’ behavior is only understood by considering the aspects of our social system as told by Von Bertalanffy. Addiction is also caused by an equally larger social system that surrounds an individual and does influence their decisions. As told early, if the natural balance of a system is dysfunctional, then the system will definitely maintain that dysfunction ergo foster addiction. The families and friends and the environment makes up one’s natural balance. If they are exposed to anything short of that then that becomes their new reality and could easily get into drug and substance abuse. Hidden forces in the family can serve to flourish the dysfunction according to the theory. Families need to work together to promote a more functional system that does not promote addiction.

References

Tom Horvath, P. K. (2016). General Systems Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications. Mentalhelp.net, 5.

Angers DH, B.-A. K. (2008). The disease of addiction: origins, treatment and recovery. Dis Mon, 696-721.

Cao, G., Clarke, S., & Lehaney, B. (2003). Diversity Management in Organizational Change: Towards a Systemic Framework. Systems Research and Behavioral Science,, 20 (3) : 231–242.

McNeece, C. A., & DiNitto, D. M. (2011). Chemical Dependency: A Systems Approach. Pearson Education.

Solow, D., & Szmerekovsky, J. G. (2006). The role of leadership: What management science can give back to the study of complex systems. Emergency: Complexity & Organization, 8( 4) : 52-60.

OVERALL COMMENT FROM PROFESSOR FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT: You have examined an important, complex problem area and you have clearly identified the critical, key elements that serve to frame the nature of this problem. With that said, you may wish to provide further review as to some of the emerging best practices and approaches to collaboration as driven by the nature of your problem area as described in your analysis; you may reference some of the research related to the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), the US Department of Health and Humans Services, General Accountability Office ( www.gao.gov ) for model or exemplar approaches. These best practices may offer you a useful set of models to apply to your overall analysis pertaining to the nature of this problem area. In this regard, you should review of the Heifetz literature in terms of the notion of Adaptive Leadership to support and frame your analysis (see as attached). Such an examination may offer some helpful remedies to your problem area and/or highlight some best practices to be explored and/or undertaken. Finally, please attend to the edits noted below.

SYSTEMS THEORY AND PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION – U8D1-00

A Public Problem I Have Read About

One public problem that I have read and heard about all over is the issue of substance abuse and addiction. The United states have continuously been in a losing war against substance abuses, for the longest time ever. as such, it is no secret that budgets have hiked within the last twenty years because of the drug abuse menace. In fact, statistics show that the drug-related incarcerations, keep on rising to new levels while the drug troubles keep worsening. Drug abuse among adolescents is on the high, deaths because of overdosing. To make it worse, drugs like heroin and cocaine become more available as well as cheaper than before. Such is also, leading to the widespread of HIV/AIDS. One thing is for sure, Drug problems can be reduced at a much less cost if the course of action is changed, such that effective strategies were applied.as at now, the federal budget is so limited that it is important to re-evaluate the programs that are running in the country. Only programs that work need to be funded.

Applying Systems Approach to Solve the Issue

The complexity of the drug abuse crisis is one that requires, legislative, medical, education, legal as well as behavioral change. As such, the changes need to be made in coordination with one another simultaneously. States, as well as communities, can only succeed if they can manage to align all the various actors to establish systems that would otherwise prevent people from being dependent on drugs. i.e. opioids, while at the same time being able to support the recovery of those who are already addicted. In this case, the systems approach is the most effective one and much important, since it takes community-wide efforts and also works at all the levels of governance to address the problem. In that connection, I established six components that are key to developing a system-wide solution. They include:

Recognize That Everyone Within the Community Has Their Given Role to Play

In this case, a person who produces, or prescribes opioids as well as that who treats, enforces the laws or is an educator or an individual taking opioids or a family member, all have a role to play.it is not about relying on another person for a solution. the educator could educate about the risks of substance abuse, the person who prescribes should also avoid and limit the prescriptions.

Work Together

In most cases, communities lack coordination. Having financial, human as well as programmatic resources, it is important to have proper coordination to avoid wasting the resources

Work Simultaneously on the Various Parts of the System .

It is not prudent to only focus on naloxone distribution or increasing the availability and access to treatment (McNeece & DiNitto, 2011). As such, it is imperative to focus on all the tenets of the system

Do Not Be Ambiguous Concerning the Risks Related to Opioid Prescription

About 75% of those who use heroin begun by a simple prescription. A such, it is imperative to change the kind of conversations with the patients from the word go. They need to understand that prescription of opioids is dangerous as such, all people including the patients and their families be involved, and not take opioids like pain killers.

Retraining of the Whole Medical Practitioner Community

Most physicians have misconceptions concerning the risks as well as the gains of opioid prescription. changing the practice would take a long time. Therefore, the physicians must be retrained on the different ways to treat the different kinds of pains, there numerous alternatives for chronic pain, not necessarily opioids.

Realize That Addiction Has the Tenets of a Chronic Disease and Should Be Treated Accordingly

The drug addiction risks cut across all boundaries. They are inclusive of middle-aged women, School athletes, among other people.as such, people die because of addiction. It is that imperative to realize that addiction is not a simple moral failing but rather a physical as well as psychological disease that needs to be managed, just as a chronic disease is managed.

References

Tom Horvath, P. K. (2016). General Systems Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications. Mentalhelp.net, 5.

Cao, G., Clarke, S., & Lehaney, B. (2003). Diversity Management in Organizational Change: Towards a Systemic Framework. Systems Research and Behavioral Science,, 20 (3) : 231–242.

McNeece, C. A., & DiNitto, D. M. (2011). Chemical Dependency: A Systems Approach. Pearson Education.

Solow, D., & Szmerekovsky, J. G. (2006). The role of leadership: What management science can give back to the study of complex systems. Emergency: Complexity & Organization, 8( 4) : 52-60.