Introduction
Opioids have become common in different parts of the world because they provide anesthetic properties. Physicians can prescribe them to patients who go through surgery to manage pain. These compounds interact with receptors in the brain cells, thereby muffling the perception and experience of pain. Unfortunately, many people in Alaska have become addicted due to the continued misuse of such drugs. This paper gives a detailed response to the growing crisis of opioids in this state.
Selected State
Alaska is one of the American states that are currently grappling with the opioid epidemic. This medical crisis affects individuals of all ages, racial backgrounds, and social statuses. The recorded trends reveal that there is a need for the Alaska Department of Health (ADH) to consider evidence-based programs to sensitize more people about the dangers of these substances (“Opioid epidemic in Alaska,” n.d.). The ultimate aim is to protect more citizens and take them closer to their aims.
The Need for Intervention
This report seeks to present adequate data that can guide different stakeholders and departments in Alaska to start viewing this predicament from a different perspective. The targeted population is comprised of individuals of all gender, age, and racial background. The misuse of opioids in this state is widespread since medical practitioners indicate that 44.9 individuals take such drugs in a population of 100 (“Opioid epidemic in Alaska,” n.d.). The average prescription rate for the country stands at 51.4 for every 100 citizens (“Opioid epidemic in Alaska,” n.d.). In 2017, the epidemic claimed the lives of 108 (“Opioid epidemic in Alaska,” n.d.). Over 93 percent of such deaths were associated with opioid overdose. Between 2010 and 2017, the recorded deaths due to opioid abuse in the state increased by around 77 percent (Jones et al., 2018). The relevant departments have indicated that around 28 cases per 100,000 persons are usually hospitalized for medical support (“Opioid epidemic in Alaska,” n.d.). The cost for meeting the medical demands for these patients is around 23 million US dollars.
These statistics are similar to the one recorded at the national level. For instance, the country reported around 11 million active users of prescription opioids in 2017 (“Opioid epidemic in Alaska,” n.d.). In 2018, the US reported around 20.7 death cases in every 100,000 people (Jones et al., 2018). Many individuals treating pain decide to take more than what their physicians prescribe. Consequently, the country has been recorded around 67,000 deaths due to opioid overdose (Wilkerson et al., 2016). These observations reveal that there is a need for different stakeholders and policymakers to collaborate and find a solution to this public and mental health predicament.
Current Program
In Alaska, the state government has implemented a powerful program intended to meet the demands of more opioid abusers. The initiative is known as the 2018-2022 Statewide Opioid Action Plan (“2018-2022 statewide,” n.d.). This medical problem remains pervasive since it affects both the elderly and the young. Some men and women also become addicts after a short period of drug use (“2018-2022 statewide,” n.d.). Due to such a plan, the state has recorded some promising results due to the efforts different professionals and stakeholders take into consideration. For instance, medical institutions and mental health resources provide timely ideas to guide more people to use opioids as prescribed by their doctors. Experts relying on this plan collaborate to minimize social determinants associated with drug use, improve the use and availability of naloxone, provide better pain management practices, and treat victims of addiction. These initiatives are evidence-based and capable of meeting the demands of most of the affected Alaskans.
Proposed Intervention
The initiatives put in place may deliver positive results in the long run. However, a new intervention is essential to ensure that Alaska responds to this crisis more efficiently. The proposed approach seeks to sensitize and educate more people in this region about the nature of this crisis. The beneficiaries will appreciate the fact that opioid overuse is a new medical challenge that affects many innocent people. The effort will be characterized by awareness programs targeting villages and neighborhoods (“2018-2022 statewide,” n.d.). The individuals will get additional links to various websites and resources that can guide them to identify better ways of managing pain. Doctors, physicians, clinicians, and social workers will be involved to provide additional insights to their patients. The ADH will also design and launch new services intended to provide rehabilitation services to the affected individuals. Such a strategy will reduce the number of deaths linked to opioid abuse.
Cost of Intervention
The proposed intervention is quite simple and easy to implement. The ADH will rely on the existing health systems to coordinate rehabilitation services. Financial resources will only be required to launch the educational campaigns for different communities. The projected cost for such measures will be around 200,000 US dollars. The involved team will request the involved individuals to share the acquired messages with their colleagues and friends. Those who are using these drugs will acquire new ideas for managing pain and minimizing their chances of addiction (Jones et al., 2018). Medical professionals will receive new instructions to support the initiative without getting additional payment.
Conclusion
The current plan put in place in Alaska has not addressed the problem of opioid abuse. The statistics presented above have revealed that more deaths might be recorded unless evidence-based strategies are put in place. The proposed initiative is simple, affordable, and capable of protecting more lives in Alaska. The involvement of all key stakeholders is essential to ensure that sustainable results are recorded in this state.
References
2018-2022 statewide opioid action plan. (n.d.). Web.
Jones, G. H., Bruera, E., Abdi, S., & Kantarjian, H. M. (2018). The opioid epidemic in the United States—Overview, origins, and potential solutions. Cancer, 124(22), 4279-4286.
The opioid epidemic in Alaska. (n.d.). 2020, Web.
Wilkerson, R. G., Kim, H. K., Windsor, T. A., & Mareiniss, D. (2016). The opioid epidemic in the United States. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 34(2), e1-e23.