Background
Drug abuse may be defined as the use of drugs that threatens to harm physically, mentally or socially (Reuter, 2013). Drug abuse is characterized by recurrent use causing some issues. First is the failure in fulfilling major obligations (work, school, home). Secondly, it exposes the use to hazardous situations such as drunk driving and machine operation. It also results in disorderly conduct. Addiction is the chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive seeking and use of drugs (DSM-5, 2013).
Literature Review
America has been fighting drug abuse and addiction for a century. In spite of this fact, drug abusers continue to frequent hospitals, courts & prisons. Current drug policies are failing considerably (Zedillo & Wheeler, 2012; Reuter, 2013). According to Zedillo & Wheeler (2012), the existing framework is not working at all. This observation is evidenced by the fact that the U.S. accounts for over 25% of the world’s demand for illicit drugs. Statistical evidence from the state of Florida, for example, shows that at least 8% of Florida residents reported having used illicit drugs within the last month. The rate of drug-related deaths was also reported to be higher in Florida than the national average (Whitehouse.gov, 2010). Meth lab sezure incidents recorded in Florida were 318, a 148% increase from the 128 recorded in 2007 (Whitehouse.gov, 2010).
According to Olson (2011), a less-punitive approach is the best for offenders of drug laws. There should be plans that focus on rehabilitating offenders by enrolling them into programs that foster positive change (NIDA, 2010). Olson conducted an evaluative research on the modeified therapeutic community located inside Sheridan Correctional Center, Illinois. The facility registered a 16% lower likelihood of recidivism for inmates released from it. Adams (2016) also favors less punitive approaches to drug offenses.
Acording to Moskalewicz (2010), various stakeholders influence or are affected by drug abuse/ addiction. Abuse and addiction to drugs cost more than 500 Billion dollars annually. These costs arise from medical, criminal, economic and social impacts. Every year, over 500,000 Americans die from drug-related issues. Drug addicts are directly affected by drugs. These drug users die as a result of neglect or lack of proper healthcare to rehabilitate addicts. They can also be used to inform policies. The second stakeholders are the community. They suffer as a result of the behavior of drug abusers and can also influence change in users or related policies (Philbin & FuJie, 2014). Pharmacists, physicians, nurses are also stakeholders. They affect drug use and care of users. Policy-makers directly influence policies that affect abusers and their communities.
According to Binswanger et al., (2010) the beneficiaries of progressive drug policies include young people, drug addicts, the community, the government, etc. Young people will receive counseling and guidance early in programs focused on keeping them away from drugs.
The support for the proposed changes will come from non-governmental organizations, medical practitioners, drug users as well as members of the community who want better outcomes on drug issues. These benefits will be evident if the goals for change are met. These include reducing annual costs, drug-related incarcerations, and drug-related health problems and deaths (National Coalition for Effective Drug Policies, 2016; Binswanger et al., 2010). Risks for policy formation include lack of cooperation from stakeholders, especially drug abusers and inadequacy of systems to absorb the changes.
Current policy issue and impact on nursing
Currently, medical practitioners are ill-equipped to deal with the health issues resulting from drug addiction. Nurses do not have adequate resources in terms of staffing, equipment or training. This situation is caused by the fact that the U.S. has adopted a punitive approach to the war on drugs (Adams, 2016). This approach has been largely ineffective (Reuter, 2013) because it promotes punishment rather than positive change. The fight against drug abuse & addiction should adopt a less-punitive approach (Zedillo & Wheeler; Olson, D. (2011). There are several approaches applicable to addressing the drug issue.
Current Legislation that needs change
The Florida Criminal Statutes §893.13 (6)(a) needs to be changed to reflect the new strategies. This statute deals with the possession of controlled substances such as heroin, cocaine, meth or other illegal drugs (Drugpossessionlaws.com, 2016). Currently, this felony is classified in the 3rd degree. It carries a potential jail time of 5 years and a corresponding $5,000 fine. If offenders are directed into rehabilitative centers, they are likely to become free of drug use and contributed to a decrease in drug distribution.
Proposed Policy change
This strategy proposes adoption of less punitive approaches to drug abuse and addiction. Law enforcement should focus on the dangerous drug abusers when applying punitive laws. They should not, for example, punish first time offenders heavily. They should stipulate rehabilitation for addicts. This strategy proposes a three-pronged approach. First, resources should be shifted into effective programs to keep young people away from drugs (NIDA, 2010). Secondly, drug control efforts should be demilitarized, focusing law enforcement efforts on the most violent and dangerous. Thirdly, justice should be restored in the justice system, whereby arrests are not affected by race or minority. As a result, drug addicts will be more willing to seek help. Implementation of effective programs should be done for addicts. Justice should be restored in the justice systems by treating offenders equally. Proper evaluation methods to appraise the new programs should also be used.
Expected impact of policy change
The policy change will have a considerable impact on nursing and healthcare. First, there will be more funds allocated to drug programs such as rehabilitation measures, enabling better working conditions for nurses and caregivers. Also, the number of patients hospitalized for drug-related issues will decrease considerably. There will be decreased stress on hospital resources.
Evaluation methodology
Evaluation involves checking whether the policy has met objectives. This process involves the collection of data on (1) Number of drug addicts enrolling in rehabilitation programs and leaving addiction-free (Olson, 2011). (2) Comparing existing data before program implementation of changes in key data items. (3) Analysis of data to determine correlations between program implementation and changes in data. The objectives will be deemed to have been met if there is proof to show a considerable positive change either in reduced incarcerations, drug-related hospital admissions, deaths or enrollment into rehabilitative institutions.
References
Adams, S. (2016). Drug-addicted offenders and treatment needs in Illinois. Illinois Criminal Justice Information
Binswanger, I.A., Stern, M.F., Deyo, R.A., Heagerty, P.J., Cheadle, A., Elmore, J.G., & Koepsell, T.D. (2010). Release from prison – a high risk of death for former inmates. New England Journal of Medicine,356(2), 157–16
Drugpossessionlaws.com,. (2016). Florida Drug Possession Laws. Drug Possession Laws. Retrieved 7 March 2016, from http://www.drugpossessionlaws.com/florida/
DSM-5, (2013). Highlights of Changes from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association, 1(3), 1-10.
Moskalewicz, J. (2010). The forgotten stakeholders in the drug treatment system – its addicted clients. NORDIC Studies On Alcohol And Drugs, 27(12), 613-616.
National Coalition for Effective Drug Policies, (2016). Eight Steps to Effectively Controlling Drug Abuse And the Drug Market. Common Sense for Drug Policy, 2(1), 1-10.
Olson, D. (2011). Sheridan Correctional Center Therapeutic Community: Year 6. Chicago, IL: Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
Philbin, M., & FuJie, Z. (2014). Exploring Stakeholder Perceptions of Facilitators and Barriers to Using Needle Exchange Programs in Yunnan Province, China. Plos ONE, 9(2), e86873. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0086873
Reuter, P. (2013). Why Has US Drug Policy Changed So Little over 30 Years?. Crime And Justice, 42(1), 75-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/670818
Whitehouse.gov,. (2010). FLORIDA DRUG CONTROL UPDATE. Executive Office Of The President Of The United States, 1(2), 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile_-_florida.pdf
Zedillo, E., & Wheeler, H. (2012). Rethinking the “War on Drugs” Through the US-Mexico Prism. Yale Center For The Study Of Globalization, 3(1), 6-175.
