BrianaPleston_RoughDraft_06132023

.docx

School

Rasmussen College, Florida *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

G124/ENC11

Subject

English

Date

May 10, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by BrigadierOwlPerson808 on coursehero.com

1 Prescription substance abuse and opioid crisis need to be addressed. Briana Pelston Rasmussen University G124/ENC 1101: English Composition Professor Linda OConnor June 5, 2023

2 A deputy inspector general, Gary L Cantrell (Department of Justice,2020), Said, “The opioid epidemic remains a significant public health challenge that impacts the lives of men and women across the county.” Why are we paying no heed to the deadly consequences of prescription substance abuse and the opioid crisis, and what urgent actions can we take to combat this epidemic? Prescription substance abuse and the opioid crisis cause death, family disruption, and change of behavior in people; to combat this epidemic, we need to increase education, prevention, and treatment. Prescription substance abuse and the opioid crisis are detrimental to society. “More than 106,000 persons in the U.S. died from a drug-involved overdose in 2021.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2023) The pressure of the opioid crisis on communities throughout the United States has been profoundly devastating. Prescription drug abuse is a significant contributor to this issue, with many individuals who are prescribed opioids for pain management become dependent on these drugs. When doctors stop providing these prescriptions, overcoming this addiction becomes a daunting challenge; this includes the risk of overdoses or other negative consequences. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2023), “Opioid-involved overdose deaths rose from 21,089 in 2010 to 47,600 in 2017.” What can we do about this?

3 The opioid epidemic has caused a profound disruption in families across the United States. Those who become victims of addictive qualities are often unable to maintain stable relationships with loved ones because their focus becomes fixated on obtaining and using drugs. Furthermore, this can lead to significant strain in relationships, separation, or even divorce. In addition, children living with an addicted parent can experience neglect or abuse due to their parents’ priorities becoming consumed by their drug use rather than their parental responsibilities. “One in five children in the U.S. live in a home with a parent who is addicted to drugs.” (Dr. Todd Thatcher, DO, CMO, 2020) In addition, addiction can also lead to severe financial strain by making it difficult to maintain employment. Ultimately, the impact of opioid addiction on families can be both devastating and long-lasting, underscoring the urgent need for increased support and resources to assist those affected by the crisis. The consumption of opioids can have a significant impact on a person’s behavior, which can result in an all-consuming addiction. Addiction takes hold of individuals, making it hard for them to hide from others, leading to erratic behavior. It can also lead to mental health and illness, such as depression and withdrawal symptoms. Opioid addiction can severely limit the ability to live a fulfilling life. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to overcome addiction and reclaim their lives by seeking help and support. Education and awareness can help communities to prevent opioid addiction and to support those who are struggling with it. Public awareness campaigns, community outreach programs, and educational initiatives in schools and workplaces can be the start of educating individuals

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help