Overview For This Assignment Due In Module Three 166617

Overview For This Assignment Due In Module Three You Will Submit A

Describe your selected public policy issue, corresponding departmental policy, and explain the connection between the public policy issue and specific departmental policy.

Describe related public policies (decisions, actions, laws, and or positions) of both the state and federal government on the issue that you seek to address with your departmental policy.

Discuss related public policies (decisions, actions, laws, and/or positions) of both the state and federal government on the issue that you seek to address with your departmental policy. Explain the connection between the departmental policy and state or federal guidance on the issue.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen public policy issue for this assignment is opioid abuse and addiction, a pressing concern that affects multiple facets of public health, criminal justice, and community safety. The departmental policy I aim to improve pertains to prescribing practices within healthcare facilities, specifically policies related to opioid prescriptions issued by healthcare providers. The connection between this policy issue and departmental procedures lies in the necessity to regulate and monitor opioid prescribing better to mitigate the risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose, aligning departmental practices with broader public health objectives. The departmental policy serves as an immediate mechanism to influence prescribing behaviors, thereby directly impacting the public policy landscape associated with opioid control and management.

At the federal level, several critical policies influence the approach to opioid misuse. The Controlled Substances Act (1970) forms the legal foundation for regulating the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances, including opioids, establishing nationwide standards for prescribing and dispensing practices. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforces these regulations, adding oversight and imposing penalties for non-compliance. Similarly, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (2018) represents a comprehensive federal response, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts, including restrictions and guidelines around opioid prescribing, aiming to reduce overprescription and diversion.

State governments possess the authority to implement additional measures tailored to local needs. Many states have enacted their own Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), which are electronic databases used by healthcare providers to track patients’ prescription histories, aiming to prevent “doctor shopping” and overprescription. For instance, Florida’s 2018 prescription guidelines impose limits on the number of days for initial opioid prescriptions and require prescriber education, aligning state policies with federal efforts. Similarly, California’s Medical Board has issued guidelines urging physicians to evaluate pain without defaulting to opioids and to consider alternative treatments.

The connection between these public policies and departmental policies is rooted in the need for coherence across different governance levels to create a comprehensive strategy for opioid epidemic mitigation. Federal policies such as the Controlled Substances Act and the SUPPORT Act set nationwide standards and priorities, guiding states and healthcare institutions in their efforts. States adapt these guidelines within their legal frameworks, often adding stricter provisions, which influence departmental policy adjustments. For example, healthcare departments can integrate federal and state mandates through updated prescribing protocols, mandatory education programs, and oversight mechanisms, thus ensuring consistent application of policies aimed at reducing opioid misuse. These interconnected policies establish a multifaceted approach where departmental policies become crucial implementation points, translating high-level regulations into day-to-day clinical practices.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/guideline.html
  • Drug Enforcement Administration. (2023). Controlled Substances Act (CSA). https://www.dea.gov/controlled-substances-act
  • Florida Department of Health. (2018). Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. https://www.fdmac.org/pdmp/
  • California Medical Board. (2019). Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids. https://www.mbc.ca.gov
  • Henry, J. L., & Smith, K. M. (2020). State-level responses to the opioid crisis: Policy analysis and implications. Public Health Policy Journal, 15(3), 210–225.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Opioid Crisis. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids
  • Office of National Drug Control Policy. (2019). National Drug Control Strategy. https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. https://store.samhsa.gov/product/medications-for-opioid-use-disorder
  • Walsh, S. L., & Garberson, L. A. (2022). Federal and state policies shaping prescribing practices: An overview. Healthcare Policy Review, 8(4), 353–365.
  • World Health Organization. (2019). Guidelines on the Pharmacological Treatment of Persisting Pain in Children with Medical Illnesses. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550395

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