Respond To Colleagues With A Critique Of The Gaps In Service

Respondto The Colleagues With A Critique Of The Gaps In Service They I

Respond to the colleagues with a critique of the gaps in service they identified for Joe. Then, describe a substance use or drug policy that you believe is unjust or disproportionately affects a certain group or population. Finally, describe the ethical obligations of social workers to make changes to substance use policies. Provide at least 2 references for each colleague response. You can use the colleague’s reference. Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Paper For Above instruction

The colleagues have provided insightful analyses of the various gaps in services affecting Joe, a 34-year-old individual with dual diagnoses struggling within a restrictive policy environment. Each response highlights significant concerns about how current policies limit access to necessary resources and perpetuate systemic inequities. This critique will analyze these identified gaps, discuss unjust substance use policies, and evaluate the ethical duties of social workers regarding policy advocacy.

Critique of Identified Service Gaps

Colleagues have rightly identified key service gaps that hinder Joe's recovery and reintegration, primarily stemming from punitive policies and systemic barriers. Colleague DB emphasizes the negative impact of zero-tolerance policies and criminal record disqualifications, noting that these result in limited employment opportunities and benefits, further exacerbating feelings of hopelessness and relapse risk. The suggestion to establish exception or appeal processes aligns with research advocating case-by-case assessments rather than blanket bans (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). However, a broader critique might include the need for systemic reforms extending beyond individual appeals, such as integrating employment programs with criminal justice reform initiatives to create sustainable pathways for recovery and employment (Popple & Leighninger, 2019).

Similarly, Colleague CW highlights the restrictive nature of drug policies, particularly bans on public assistance for individuals with drug convictions, which perpetuate a cycle of poverty and incarceration. While the proposal to abolish these bans, especially for marijuana-related offenses, aligns with contemporary advocacy for reformed drug policies, it overlooks the broader societal fears and political challenges associated with such reforms (Wiltz, 2016). A more comprehensive critique might note that addressing these gaps requires legislative advocacy and public education campaigns to shift societal perceptions and policies that disproportionately affect marginalized populations.

Colleague NA underscores the collateral consequences of criminal records, such as ineligibility for Medicaid and employment barriers, emphasizing the importance of reentry programs. While the Pittsburgh-based 'Friends Over Fences' program is a laudable initiative, policy gaps remain in the nationwide implementation of similar programs and in the equitable distribution of resources for reentry support (Mauer & McCalmont, 2013). Overall, all colleagues effectively identify service gaps rooted in punitive policies and community-level issues, but a focus on systemic reform and policy advocacy could further enhance these efforts.

Unjust Substance Use or Drug Policy

One notable unjust substance use policy is the "War on Drugs" and its resultant mandatory minimum sentencing laws, which have disproportionately affected minority communities, particularly African Americans and Hispanics (Alexander, 2010). These policies emphasize punitive measures over treatment, leading to mass incarceration and long-term societal marginalization of individuals with drug offenses. Such policies have entrenched racial disparities, as data reveal that Black Americans are incarcerated for drug offenses at significantly higher rates despite similar prevalence rates across racial groups (Carson & Anderson, 2017). The collateral consequences include barriers to employment, housing, voting rights, and public benefits, which perpetuate cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement. This demonstrates an unjust system that prioritizes punishment over comprehensive health and social interventions.

Ethical Obligations of Social Workers

Social workers have an ethical obligation to advocate for equitable policies that uphold human dignity and promote social justice, as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics (2017). This includes actively challenging policies that contribute to disparities and impede access to essential services. Social workers are ethically bound to push for reforms that remove barriers for marginalized groups, including those related to substance use (Larsen et al., 2020). Engaging in policy advocacy involves educating policymakers, raising public awareness, and participating in reform initiatives aimed at decriminalizing substance use and expanding access to treatment and support services. Additionally, social workers must continually evaluate and address their own biases, ensuring that their practice supports fairness and equity. Ultimately, their role extends beyond individual casework to systemic change that aligns with core ethical principles of justice and respect for persons.

References

• Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
• Carson, E. A., & Anderson, E. (2017). Prisoners in 2016. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
• Larsen, K. K., Tillman, S., & Carino, G. (2020). Social justice advocacy and the social work profession. Social Work, 65(2), 103–111.
• Mauer, M., & McCalmont, V. (2013). A lifetime of punishment: The impact of the felony drug ban on welfare benefits. Urban Institute.
• National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW Code of Ethics. NASW Press.
• Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.
• Popple, P. R., & Leighninger, L. (2019). The policy-based profession: An introduction to social welfare policy analysis for social workers (7th ed.). Pearson.
• Wiltz, T. (2016). More states lift welfare restrictions for drug felons. The Pew Charitable Trusts.
• Young, S., & Bingham, P. (2019). Race, criminal justice, and social policy. Journal of Social Policy, 48(4), 703–722.