Opioid Crisis Legislation Advocacy in Arizona Essay

Problem

The United States, and the state of Arizona in particular, are currently experiencing a full fledged opioid crisis. According to recent statistics, as of now, around 1.7 million Americans are addicted to opioid medication with more than 130 people dying from opioid overdose every day. The origins of this public health disaster date back to the 1990s when opioid drugs were seen as an unexplored novelty – and a safe one at that. Pharmaceutical companies did a good job convincing those in the decision-making positions in the healthcare sector that opioid medication was not addictive, which later was proven to be untrue. In Arizona alone, within the time span from 2017 through 2019, 3,555 deaths were caused by opioids (Arizona Department of Health Services, 2019). What is even more alarming is that from 2013 through 2017, the opioid overdose rate had increased by 76%. The state will see even more deaths and reckless medication consequences if certain measures are not undertaken.

Idea for Addressing Solution

Legislative advocacy may be the only way to tackle the US opioid crisis. Since opioid overdose is often lethal, there is a need for clear and comprehensive standardized regulations that could be used by both health workers and patients. Apart from that, legislative advocacy creates a positive stir, draws attention to the issue, and ensures wide reaching publicity. A good solution might be improving opioid use disorder screening that would not only focus on preventing deaths but also on examining the reasons why individuals turn to excessive use (Saloner et al., 2018).

Research of the Issue

Evidence 1

Between 2017 and 2019, there have been 3,555 deaths and 25,969 suspected deaths caused by opioid overdose (Arizona Department of Health Services, 2019);

Evidence 2

At the same time, access to medication such as naloxone has increased significantly, making safe consumption nigh on impossible in the United States (Arizona Department of Health Services, 2019).

Stakeholder Support

Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1

Arizona Public Health Association as this organization has often attempted to raise awareness regarding the issue.

Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2

Arizona Nurses Association since nurses often play the role of health promoters and work closely with communities.

Stakeholder Opposition

Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1

Opioid drug producers could be apprehensive of the new legislation in fear of decreasing sales.

Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2

Some medical facilities that collaborate with producers could be afraid of losing an additional source of income. This opposition could be overcome by showcasing the proof that weaning patients off opioids is more cost-effective.

Financial Incentives/Costs

According to Florence, Zhou, Luo, and Xu, the yearly economic burden of opioid abuse is estimated at $78.5 billion. Over one third of this sum is substance abuse treatment costs. Around 25% of these expenses are on the public sector in health care; this also includes criminal justice costs.

Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal

The steps for the presentation the proposal to the legislator

1. Booking a meeting with the chosen legislator;
2. Presenting the issue using the most recent statistics, outlining the impact if gone unnoticed, and describing possible solutions;
3. Answering questions to clarify details.

The process of the introduction of the idea as a bill to congress

Passing a bill to tackle the opioid crisis in Arizona would take the same steps as stated in the respective legislation:

1. Filing of the bill for introduction;
2. Introduction in open session;
3. Referral to standing committees;
4. First-house hearings;
5. Committee reports;
6. Consent calendar, otherwise debating the bill;
7. Second-house action;
8. Amending the bill if necessary;
9. Conference committee;
10. Sending the bill to the governor to accept or veto it.

Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy

Christians have been long on the fence about how to classify addiction – as a sin or a sickness. It is readily imaginable how being dependent on a certain substances can be a sin. After all, a person chooses to build his or her life around something than God. Lately, however, both Evangelical and Catholic churches – the most prominent branches in the United States – have been supporting the view that addiction is a disease that a person barely has control over. Christianity teaches love and compassion, especially when it comes to those in the moments of dire need. It is important that opioid addicts seek healing in Christ – they should know that they have the support of both the community and God. Quoting the Gospel of Mark, “[…] your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

References

Arizona Department of Health Services. (2019). Opioid epidemic. Web.

Florence, C. S., Zhou, C., Luo, F., & Xu, L. (2016). The economic burden of prescription opioid overdose, abuse, and dependence in the United States, 2013. Medical Care, 54(10), 901–906.

Saloner, B., McGinty, E. E., Beletsky, L., Bluthenthal, R., Beyrer, C., Botticelli, M., & Sherman, S. G. (2018). A public health strategy for the opioid crisis. Public Health Reports, 133(1_suppl), 24S-34S.