Does the Current Opioid Crisis Constitute a National Emergency?
The federal government has multiple responsibilities, including acknowledging when a situation has turned from a problem into a crisis. Currently, there are many people who are debating whether or not the opioid crisis in the US today needs to be declared a national emergency. Both sides of the fence have valid points and the debate itself can be quite heated.
First of all, it is important to understand what falls within this category of drugs. Opioids are a classification of drugs that includes illegal street drugs as well as ones that can be prescribed and used under the care of a medical professional. Although heroin is often the first thing that comes to mind when opiates are mentioned, the ones prescribed by doctors can be equally addictive.
Oftentimes the first exposure someone has to this class of drugs is after some type of medical crisis when a medical team determined that it was the best course of action for treating the patient. As a short term medication it can be a valid choice for assisting people to get through the pain and crisis associated with their injuries.
However, doctors don't want to keep their patients addicted to these drugs and will begin to reduce the amount quickly so that the patient does not depend on them. For most people, this means some discomfort when first withdrawing from the prescribed drugs. But there are some folks who cannot walk away so easily.
Unfortunately, there are many options available on the streets these days. Some former patients convince themselves that purchasing the same drugs the doctor had been giving them is not that big of a deal. But, when you are in charge of the amounts, it is easy to take more and more of the drug in order to get the same relief.
These folks and others who use different street medications might find themselves unable to acquire the drugs that they want so they take something a little different. Soon, they are willing to take any opiate in order to relieve the discomfort of withdrawal.
There are countless folks across the nation who find themselves unable to stop use of these dangerous drugs on their own. Rehabilitation services that allow the addict to get clean and clear their heads out are essential first steps in recovering.
Some of the people who are against calling it a national emergency believe the term "addict" has a negative social stigma that should be avoided at all costs. However, there is no shame in being addicted to a drug. These are powerful chemicals that alter your brain chemistry. That is science, not weakness.
Should the opioid crisis be declared a national emergency? The more important question is what options are available to help the men and women who are suffering right now. While calling it a crisis might make some do-gooders feel like they have contributed to the cause, it is far more relevant that appropriate treatments are available to these folks without the shame and stigma that keeps many of them from seeking help.
The federal government has multiple responsibilities, including acknowledging when a situation has turned from a problem into a crisis. Currently, there are many people who are debating whether or not the opioid crisis in the US today needs to be declared a national emergency. Both sides of the fence have valid points and the debate itself can be quite heated.
First of all, it is important to understand what falls within this category of drugs. Opioids are a classification of drugs that includes illegal street drugs as well as ones that can be prescribed and used under the care of a medical professional. Although heroin is often the first thing that comes to mind when opiates are mentioned, the ones prescribed by doctors can be equally addictive.
Oftentimes the first exposure someone has to this class of drugs is after some type of medical crisis when a medical team determined that it was the best course of action for treating the patient. As a short term medication it can be a valid choice for assisting people to get through the pain and crisis associated with their injuries.
However, doctors don't want to keep their patients addicted to these drugs and will begin to reduce the amount quickly so that the patient does not depend on them. For most people, this means some discomfort when first withdrawing from the prescribed drugs. But there are some folks who cannot walk away so easily.
Unfortunately, there are many options available on the streets these days. Some former patients convince themselves that purchasing the same drugs the doctor had been giving them is not that big of a deal. But, when you are in charge of the amounts, it is easy to take more and more of the drug in order to get the same relief.
These folks and others who use different street medications might find themselves unable to acquire the drugs that they want so they take something a little different. Soon, they are willing to take any opiate in order to relieve the discomfort of withdrawal.
There are countless folks across the nation who find themselves unable to stop use of these dangerous drugs on their own. Rehabilitation services that allow the addict to get clean and clear their heads out are essential first steps in recovering.
Some of the people who are against calling it a national emergency believe the term "addict" has a negative social stigma that should be avoided at all costs. However, there is no shame in being addicted to a drug. These are powerful chemicals that alter your brain chemistry. That is science, not weakness.
Should the opioid crisis be declared a national emergency? The more important question is what options are available to help the men and women who are suffering right now. While calling it a crisis might make some do-gooders feel like they have contributed to the cause, it is far more relevant that appropriate treatments are available to these folks without the shame and stigma that keeps many of them from seeking help.
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