EDUDORM ACADEMIC SERVICES

In America, heroin use has touched epidemic magnitudes and Florida is the most affected. Drug abuse is today categorized as a significant health issue based on its association with a range of undesirable health, economic as well as social consequences. Analyzing the socio-economic context of heroin abuse depicts a burgeoning ground of heroin epidemic research. The research will utilize a mixed methodology to collect data in regard to heroin epidemic effects in Florida. This strategy is essential because it leads to maximum information and is more dependable and accurate. The research targets policymakers, educators and the community general. The objective of this study is to investigate the socio-economic impacts of heroin among adults living in Florida. The study further offers a comprehensive perspective on policy implementation with adequate evidence to support the arguments. The study concluded that the widespread and socio-economic effects of heroin in the United States and particularly Florida asserts the need for sustained investment in social, healthcare, and economic related approaches that seeks to lower the potential of abuse and offers supportive care for those affected to overcome the epidemic.

Introduction

Nature of the Problem

America is in the hold of a heroin epidemic and the most affected are Florida. Heroin is an illegitimate drug from Opiate family which is mainly derived from Poppy plant that is generated from Morphine (Meyer et al., 2014). The addition of this substance results in a rampant illness that has caused thousands of deaths annually and the epidemic in Florida is becoming even worse since individuals are searching for heroin as ultimate remedy to feeding their pain management treatments addiction. Opioid epidemic particularly heroin has been categorized to be the most horrible illegal drugs crisis in the United States history. The related death rate currently rivals that linked to Aids in the 20th century where heroin overdose is reported to be killing over 27,000 persons annually, an epidemic that has resulted in urgent actions calls (Meyer et al., 2014). The epidemic has not occurred rapidly given that it has taken close to a decade to stabilize and resulted in mass destruction of the nation and its impact is beyond race, financial stability and age but adults are the most affected in Florida (Hanson, Venturelli & Fleckenstein, 2017). Apparently, based on a recent survey conducted in the state it was established that heroin abuse is associated with more destruction and death more than traffic accidents.

In the last few years, close to 80 percent of heroin users in America associated their utilization to opioid recommendation use (Hanson, Venturelli & Fleckenstein, 2017). This, therefore, implies that the recommendation of opioid utilization is among the leading risk forces for heroin use, addiction and abuse. Throughout Florida, state counties are consistently challenging heroin dependence (Hanson, Venturelli & Fleckenstein, 2017). A 40 percent rise in heroin-associated deaths were reported in 2014 which depicts close to thirty-six deaths on every country annual increase (Culyer, 2014). This, therefore, demonstrates the rising dominance of heroin epidemic in Florida particularly affected adults. The current heroin epidemic is not only associated with health impacts given that the associated addiction and deaths additionally have socio-economic impacts. In that, the epidemic results in loss of lives, trauma, less production, high unemployment rate, high crime rate, and financial as well as an emotional loss when caring for the affected persons. More so, close to 70 percent of those affected are the primary providers for their families which result in poverty and income decline within most families (Culyer, 2014).

Purpose of the Research

It is the objective of the research to discover various socio-economic based policy approaches and models in the quest for high-quality treatment care delivery and socio-economic status for adults affected by heroin in Florida.

Significance to Healthcare Providers, Public and Policy Makers

The provision of a detailed analysis of heroin socio-economic impacts in Florida facilitates the optimal of improving healthcare and socioeconomic status at the community level. In that, the study seeks to establish socio-economic impacts of heroin epidemic among adults in Florida and provide a comprehensive policy development perspective to address the issue. Heroin epidemic in Florida is currently categorized as the worst crisis that affects health and socio-economic development among youths and adults. The epidemic began in the 1990s after the establishment of Opioid particular heroin as a pain management substance which creates dependency and abuse. There are incredibly social and economic costs associated with heroin addiction and thus a more objective argument can be applied for the necessity to invest in teaching, prevention, treatment and legislative policies reform in order to address the issue.

Research Question

What are socio-economic effects of heroin epidemic among adults focusing on policy developments for healthcare services in Florida?

Chapter 2: Review of the Literature The Root Source of Heroin Epidemic

According to Joshua (2017) in the international world today, there have been increasing cases of drug addiction due to overuse. America’s heroin use has created a rising epidemic and Florida is the most affected one. Illegal use of Opiates for pain management addiction particularly heroin has dominated most states in America with over 300,000 heroin users which account for about 5,000 deaths each year (Joshua, 2017). In support of Joshua (2017) assertions, Martins, Sampson, Cerdá, & Galea, (2015) notes that in the United States Florida is characterized by the utmost rate of heroin users particularly adults. Heroin is categorized as the most addictive substance which creates impossibilities for stoppage without acquiring for substance treatment. Heroin addiction leads to economic losses because it results in low productivity given that the affected person's losses control and are dominated dependency (Martins, Sampson, Cerdá, & Galea, 2015).

Opioid’s epidemic holds its source in the late 20th century after most of the leading health organizations discovered and supported its use for the management of pain particularly in managing short and long run illnesses. The result of this establishment was that physicians concentrated on the prescriptions to assist in the management of prolonged pain. The issue that was created and still remains is that the use of Opioids such as heroin is associated with high dependency and even if one utilizes the prescription for only 10 days they will experience withdrawal symptoms leading to overdose. More than 80 percent of heroin prescribed users misuse the given prescriptions based on its accessibility which has resulted in overuse and related fatalities among adults (Martins, Sampson, Cerdá, & Galea, 2015). The epidemic is a major result of prescriptions and accessibility that can best be managed by applying major and effective legislative policies that limits availability, accessibility as well as prescription.

According to Carnegie & Norris (2015) Heroin is highly associated with epidemics based on its high dependency level. The notion of heroin epidemic is sourced from the fact that substance use and abuse is a cultured conduct that is transferred from an individual to another. American first experienced heroin epidemic in the dawn of 1960’s after which the moderate use become a norm until the last two or so decades. Mars et al., (2014) has particularly demonstrated this by showing that Florida is the most impacted based on poor treatment, prevention, educative and legislative grounds that it was founded. On the other hand Unick, Rosenblum, Mars & Circcarone (2014) studied heroin overuse in America via the utilization of modeling and observational approaches and established that the dominance of heroin addiction began to prevail from 2000. However, despite the dominance of the disorder, it has been established that public policies have not been reformed adequately to control the rise and the public is not fully aware of the associated socio-economic effects of this epidemic.

Social Impacts of Heroin Epidemic

Psychological, Financial and Physical Effects

According to Carnegie & Norris, (2015) heroin is a hazardous unlawful substance that is associated with devastating impacts on its users and the community in general. Research conducted in America focusing on different states has demonstrated a high rate of consistency in the adverse impacts associated with heroin utilization. Families are the most affected by the epidemic given that they are forced to invest both finically and emotionally for the wellness of the loved ones. In that, the treatment for the disorder is quite expensive and this results in psychological effects given that most of those that are affected are the primary family providers which imply that these families are subjected to economic struggles (Meyer et al., 2014). The occurrence normally denies the family members the general opportunities for interacting and spending time with the victims. Death affects them even father as the created gaps can never be filled in any form. Heroin addiction in most American families results in intensified detrimental sentiments that lead to conflicting moods towards the users. This generates tension among family members which in turn results in increased psychosomatic and physical illness. A study by Schmidt et al., (2014) proposes that for every heroin user in America will in most instances have high levels of psychological undesirable impacts on the wellness of at least one family member. Asserting on the findings of Unick, Rosenblum, Mars, & Circcarone (2014) established that close relative normally experiences anxiety which is mainly heightened by the feeling of loss of authority in regard to coping with the impacts of drug abuse in general.

Broken Relationships, Loss of Trust, Control and Responsibility

Carnegie & Norris, (2015) additionally notes that heroin epidemic is highly associated with broken relationship, domestic aggression, financial constraints and family unit devastation. This is mainly contributed by the loss of dependability and trustworthiness. Heroin addiction can affect the ability of an individual to maintain responsible and trustworthy behaviors with those in a relationship with due to the general loss of control (Meyer et al., 2014). Heroin has the utmost capacity of causing mood changes and provoke devastating conducts which creates threats of subjecting others to bodily and psychological hurting. Financial issues are common given that the users tend to strain to feed their addiction needs thus affecting the financial stability of their families. For heroin dependability, regular buying grows to be an expensive venture because it is challenging to sustain the growing addiction needs (Meyer et al., 2014). All the savings can soon be gone and even the finances that are required for basic existence might be wasted in the addiction. In addition, in order for one to pay for their drug habits, they might opt for other alternatives such as robbery and illegal behaviors which makes the users and their families vulnerable to further income losses if they are punished legally.

Economic Impacts of Heroin Epidemic

Based on Culyer (2014) the rapidly spreading heroin consumption rate in America has affected holds significant negative impacts on the society as well as the local and economic ability. At the current state of heroin use saturation, it is apparent that the entire American society feels the addiction effects and particularly those in Florida which is the nastiest. Heroin abuse encourages the development of crime because the users settle for such options in order to consistently nourish their addiction need. This tends to increase crime rate at the local levels given that the affected individuals have no control over their addiction and therefore, the loss of responsibility and compassion leads to the ventures in illegal conducts. To echo these Arguments Meyer et al., (2014). Asserts that workplace suffers the most from such addiction due to reduced productivity, high turnover rate, and absenteeism. Addiction normally jeopardizes the general abilities of the users to secure employment or even maintain one. In turn, employers are forced to invest in expensive health insurance and support for the affected staff and their employee. With low production comes less revenue generation which implies that smooth economic developments are hindered.

Heroin abuse subjects immeasurable damages on public safety annually by threatening social as well as economic developments (Joshua, 2017). In addition, to the loss of workplace productivity and crime increase healthcare is not spared. In that, the government is forced to spend billions in dealing with addiction and recovery services rather than developments. Based on Joshua (2017) it is estimated that Florida spends 1 billion dollars annually on heroin-related cases. Individual’s health is highly impacted by heroin overdose. In the economic context, this issue normally generates itself mainly from costs related to management, prevention, healthcare services and increased mortality and sickness (Martins, Sampson, Cerdá, & Galea, 2015). The occurrence of heroin abuse necessitates societies to dedicate their resources to educative campaigns, treatment as well as intervention. Based on report adequate treatment is only acquired by a single person among six globally which therefore implies that the rest are subjected to long-run suffering and later death (Martins, Sampson, Cerdá, & Galea, 2015). Most of the affected user's withdrawal themselves from employment which creates gaps in the productive sector and yet employers find it challenging to get a suitable replacement for these groups.

Chapter 3: Methodology and Procedures

Methodology

The study utilized quantitative methodology and a descriptive study design for the research review. This was performed via empirical analysis of previous research studies.

Procedures

Search Procedures

A careful review of the significant literature related to the socio-economic impacts of heroin among adults in Florida will be conducted. The review will highlight the following topics: (a) historical data, (b) Epidemiological information), (c) Policy development

Libraries Used

The Seminole State College of Florida Library and Ebsco-host articles library were used for this project.

Search Engines and Databases Used

The following databases and search engines were used for the sources for this project: The databases were Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature. (CINAHL) and PubMed.

Search Terms

Several search terms were used to identify sources for this project. The search terms included

a) Heroin Epidemic
b) Heroin use socio-economic effects
c) Heroin Crisis in Florida

Boolean Strings

Boolean strings were considered for the literature search:

a) Heroin and society
b) Heroin and economy

Age of the sources

Literature significance was reviewed for the research. Sources authored in the last five years were considered for inclusion in the study’s review of literature. Relevant historical or influential articles were also considered.

Research Modalities

The available literature reveals multiple research modalities, including (a) descriptive, (b) observational, and (c) Longitudinal designs. Research studies exploring the socio-economic impacts of heroin epidemic among adults in America are common. Research studies investigating the socio-economic impacts of heroin epidemic among adults in Florida will be examined. Descriptive articles emphasizing the significance of a) authoritative legislative policies b) social impacts of heroin use c) economic impacts of heroin use. d) Financial effects of the epidemic e) heroin use as a health issue and f) the root causes of the epidemic will be featured. Exploratory studies will also be included in the review. Various strategies to care of this special populace of heroin users will be discussed.

Study Subjects

The group will be involved in the research are policymakers and the public in general. In that heroin epidemic affects Florida’s community and therefore, there is a need to incorporate them. On the other hand, policymakers are mainly involved in the development of legislative policies that are essential in controlling the issue.

Assumptions

The commencement of the project was associated with several assumptions. To begin with, as the researcher I assumed that heroin addiction is a personal decision that is mainly influenced by societal forces. In that, to most individuals, drug abuse is a behavior that is learned socially from those that are close. However, it was established that heroin epidemic sources are rooted in medical prescriptions for long-term pain management. Close to 80 percent of the addicted person’s stated that the use and addiction were mainly fueled by a medical prescription which resulted in dependency In addition, another assumption was that heroin epidemic is equally spread across all the American state but research reveals that Florida is the most affected by the crisis which presents social as well as economic effects. The other assumption was that heroin-like other illegal drugs are not associated with any health benefits but research reveals that it is commonly utilized in controlling chronic pain. However, it has the utmost dependency rate which can grow even after a two weeks prescription use which results in the loss of control.

Limitations

Similarly to every research, this study was associated with several limitations. To start with the size and number of sources where empirical data for quantitative analysis was acquired was particularly large but limited for Florida State. This implies that having a wider range of sources related to Florida’s epidemic rather than America, in general, would probably improve the dependability of the study. Time and resources proved to be additional limitations given that much effort and time is required in analyzing past studies to create a relevant pattern. More so, based on the existence of detailed literature in regard to the socio-economic effects of heroin it was challenging to separate opinions from facts because too many studies have been conducted in regard to the subject.

Chapter 4: Expectations

Through the study, the main expectation is to establish the socio-economic impacts of heroin epidemic in Florida among adults and propose feasible policies to manage and reduce the problem. The research will have several impacts on the public and policymakers. In that the public will acquire knowledge in regard to the associated effects of heroin epidemic and policymakers will acquire firm ground to develop able policies. The research will impact my community and healthcare providers by providing them with the knowledge that is required in dealing with the social and health issue. Other people should care for my contribution because the study can be utilized as a reference in dealing with the issue which affects everyone. People can anticipate learning more about how the issue began, its impacts and possible intervention strategies. This will benefit my institution and career will emerge for further investigations.

Anticipated Benefits

The anticipated benefits from this educational endeavor will be to educate my community and propose options for policy developers. In addition, to being a source of knowledge the research will act as a ground and reference for further investigation regarding the issue.

Importance of Anticipated Benefits to Florida’s Community and Policy Makers

Providing knowledge to both the community and policymakers is essential because it is through the knowledge that transformation is developed. Most individuals fall into the addiction mainly because they do not understand the effects of heroin on others and themselves. This can be helpful in assisting those that are already victims of the issue. On the other hand, policymakers can understand the root cause and how it can be resolved based on its effects.

Improvement of Healthcare Delivery Systems

An exploration of heroin addiction offers an opportunity for the provision of better healthcare to heroin users. This will, in turn, result in more improved health for all the involved persons thus creating socio-economic progress.

Chapter 5: Discussion/Conclusions/Recommendations

It is apparent that economic and social impacts understanding in relation to heroin epidemic is a necessity to developing policies that intend to lower such expenses. It is saddening that heroin has financial impacts even on those that have low financial sources. In that half of the heroin users in Florida are mainly those characterized by low income. This population normally spend most of its general finances on the acquisition of heroin when compared to individuals both from the upper and middle socio-economic classes. The treatment for the disorder is particularly expensive given that the long run utilization leads to damages on major body organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver. The general effects of heroin consumption in Florida cannot be ignored given that the epidemic does not only slow down development but it affects the general function-ability of the society. The prevalence of the epidemic signals for urgent and authoritative prevention, treatment as well as legislative policies in the quest of improving healthcare delivery and life’s quality.

The research established that America and particularly Florida is suffering from the socio-economic and health effects of a heroin epidemic. The health of both the victims and their families are simultaneously affected. However, those that are affected most are families because they are required to offer both psychological and financial support which is very challenging. Heroin addiction mainly affects the general capability of an individual to maintain a healthy relationship due to the loss of control thus becoming irresponsible. It has been further established that financial pressures that are subjected to those close to the victims often come from different forces that are associated with heroin use. These forces include, treatment expenses and the associated theft to maintain the addiction demands. In general heroin addiction results in low economic productivity based on withdrawal from their workplaces which affects financial generation. In consequence, this epidemic is linked with crime given that after the users exhaust their financial resources they opt to illegal acquisitions which might lead to sentencing.

While the government and businesses are expected to direct their revenues towards socio-economic developments, most of these resources are utilized in providing healthcare services to the affected persons. This generally lowers the quality of existence for societies because they are forced to support the initiatives further. Since the problem of heroin use began as a medical treatment legislative policies should be developed to limit its prescriptions, accessibility as well as use. In that, it is through the control strategies that the problem can be handled effectively.

References

Carnegie, A., & Norris, M. (2015). Strengthening communities, building capacity, and combating stigma: exploring the potential of culture-led social housing regeneration. International Journal of Housing Policy, 15(4), 495-508. doi:10.1080/14616718.2015.1085216

Culyer, A. J. (2014). Encyclopedia of health economics. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Hanson, G., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2018). Drugs and society. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Joshua, J. (2017). The Economics of Addictive Behaviours: The Private and Social Costs of the Abuse of Illicit Drugs and Their Remedies. Palgrave Macmillan.

Martins, S. S., Sampson, L., Cerdá, M., & Galea, S. (2015). Worldwide Prevalence and Trends in Unintentional Drug Overdose: A Systematic Review of the Literature. American Journal Of Public Health, 105(11), e29-e49. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302843

Meyer, R., Anisha M. Patel, Stacy K. Rattana, Tiffany P. Quock and Samir H. Mody. (2014). Prescription Opioid Abuse: A Literature Review of the Clinical and Economic Burden in the United States. Population Health Management journal. 1; 17(6): 372–387. Doi: 10.1089/pop.2013.0098

Sarah G. Mars, Bourgois, P., Krandinos, G., Montero, F., & Ciccarone, D. (2014). “Every ‘Never’ I Ever Said came true”: Transitions from opioid pills to heroin injecting. International Journal Of Drug Policy. Pp. 257-266 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.10.004

Schmidt, A. Borgwardt, S., Gerber H., Wiesbeck G.A, Schmid, O., Riecher-Rossler, A., Smieskova, R., Lang U.E & Walter M. (2014). Acute effects of heroin on negative emotional processing: relation of amygdala activity and stress-related responses. Pub Med. 76(4):289-96. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.10.019. Epub.

Unick J. George, Rosenblum, D., Mars, S., & Ciccarone, D. ( 2013). Intertwined Epidemics: National Demographic Trends in Hospitalizations for Heroin- and Opioid-Related Overdoses, 1993–2009. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0054496

Unick, G., Rosenblum, D., Mars, S., & Circcarone, D. (2014). The relationship between US heroin market dynamics and heroin-related overdose, 1992-2008. PubMed. 109(11):1889-98. doi: 10.1111/add.12664. Epub.

4053 Words 14 Pages