Journal of Student Research 2019

Journal of Student Research

A Case Study of California’s Syringe Exchange Programs on Illicit Opioid Use of the policy. The level of implementation was briefly discussed in the alternative analysis itself, but will be expanded upon. Pushing application for medical marijuana identification cards for users of SEPs may result in many applying and being denied due to necessary forms and doctor approval. Even if the facilities provided doctors to help applicants get approved for identification cards, every time an applicant switches physicians they must renew their identification card and reapply. Therefore, when figuring the implementation of the policy, providing educational resources for medical marijuana identification cards may be the best route. Stated in the introduction of this paper, attempting to treat a large-scale epidemic like the opioid crisis seems extremely difficult or impossible. Throughout the discussion of background information, history, criteria for policy evalution, and the potential solutions to the opioid crisis, it is clear that many options come with important barriers to consider and find a way around. However, the solution chosen, pragmatic in nature, attempting to address all aspects of policy criteria: technical, economic, political feasibility while being legal and ethical provides slim chances to change illicit opioid users options for pain management, potentially changing their lives. Howver, at the root of all these statistics, data, effectiveness, and feasibility are people. The 916 deaths in Wisconsin in 2017 create a stream of connections of humanity, loss, and grief (“Opioids,” 2015). So while finding the proper policy solution to a specific case study is important, policy makers must work steadfast with the focus on saving lives and changing affected communities, irregardless if that is in California, Wisconsin, the United States, or Portugal. In application to Wisconsin, there is already policy change occuring. On May 1, 2017 Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Youth Alliance were awarded a grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Health Heath Services Administration (SAMHSA) titled, State Targeted Reponse to Opioid Crisis (STR) (Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 2018). The grant outlined specific state policy actions towards decreasing pharmacudical opioid addiction. 63 Regional facilities with Wisconsin Youth Alliance applied and received grant funding towards a variety of policy tactics, including “permanent prescription drug drop boxes, drug take-back events, prescripion drug lock boxes, prescription drug deactivation unites, coordination of naxolone training and distribution, ‘Dose of Reality’ education materials, and town hall meetings and communtiy education events.” The chosen policy options by each regional facility were distributed in 2018. Overall, community events remained the most popular choice, followed by ‘Dose of Reality’ educational campaigns. This policy alone shows great progress towards decreasing opioid deaths in Wisconsin. 2019 also shows more possibilities for combatting opioid deaths. State Representative John Nygren submitted 30 pieces of legislation aimed at combating the opioid epidemic as part of the HOPE Agenda, partnering with law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and communtiy leaders to decrease prescribed opioids

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These prerequisites include many patients’ current conditions that use Syringe Exchange Program facilities and may provide benefits for those under 21 who participate in Syringe Exchange Programs. Even if people do not qualify for medical marijuana, education about alternative pain management provide options for users of SEPs. Technically and economically, this alternative provides the lowest cost and the greatest ease of technical implementation. The scale of implementation must also be considered; should there simply be educational brochures and medical marijuana identification card applications available at each facility, or should it be implemented with resources like certified doctors and financial aid to users who wish to seek medical marijuana identification cards? One such limitation that may hinder the scale of implementation is the complications of Senate Bill 420 that creates barriers for users of Syringe Exchange Program facilities. The bill has prerequisites for those applying other than medical conditions. Each applicant must submit a statement of address and identification, as well as pay for their identification card (Senate Bill No. 420, 2011). Users of Syringe Exchange Program facilities may not have these documents or the financial ability to pay for an identification card, as many SEPs provide free syringe exchange as well as other resources. This is also further complicated through a yearly renewal process. Additionally, medical marijuana users must reapply for an identification card every time they change physicians. The conditions of Senate Bill 420 creates barriers to effectiveness of identification cards and limits the overall health of patients who could receive benefits from alternative pain management who currently use illicit opioids. In terms of future study, a look at reframing medical marijuana laws may prove policy option more effective. medical marijuana resources at Syringe Exchange Program facilities. This is the alternative with the greatest technical and economic feasibility and could be implemental at the lowest cost. Unlike the other alternatives that necessitate a large policy shift and change in state budget allocation, this alternative requires neither in its pragmatic approach. It also would have the greatest effect on the community who uses SEPs, by providing education and services to greater aide in NASEN’s mission to, “disseminate information related to syringe exchange and disease prevention” (Des Jarlais, McKnight, Goldblatt, & Purchase, 2009). As the agent of implementation would be at NASEN SEPs, following their guidelines and mission statements in an important factor in the policy selection. Overall, this implementation will allow for users to have a greater chance at overcoming potential addiction and overdose with illicit opioids. The implementation of this alternative is essential to the success and efficiency Recommendations and Conclusion The recommended alternative would be the final alternative, to provide

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