This is a Two Part Assignment:
The first part of the assignment should be 500 words of content. Please provide five sources in Part one of this assignment.
Part I:
Identify a US policy (national or state) related to substance use and provide a brief descriiption based on the following context:
When and where was the policy created?
Why the policy was created-what issue is the policy address (history of issue if applicable)? (harm reduction, regulation, etc.)
What substances does the policy include? (drug classification)
What populations does the policy impact (protect, harm, etc.)? Include stigma issues that may be present.
Are there outcome measures or reports that show the policy effectiveness in relation to it’s purpose?
Length should be equal to one page (500 words single spaced) size 12 font. APA citations for resources utilized.
Part II:
Respond to two posts, choose any of the following to discuss in your response:
Discuss pros/cons of policy
Are there other populations effected or stigmas attached to this policy not mentioned?
Examine your thoughts on the effectiveness of the policy
Identity if the policy is controversial-in what ways
Explore systems, facilities and procedures directly or indirectly impacted by the policy
I will provide the classmates’ post to response to below:
Classmate #1 Post to Response to:
Carly Bass
In Philadelphia, Code Chapter 9-4700 was signed into law by the mayor on April 28 2021. This is an amendment to Title 9, “Regulation of businesses, Trades and Professions.” The new chapter prohibits employers from requiring drug screenings for marijuana on employees as a condition of their hire/employment (Rodgers, 2023). There are exceptions for jobs requiring a commercial drivers license, working with children, and other factors. However, the policy only includes pre-screening. Employers are still able to drug screen at random once employees are hired (City of Philadelphia Bill No. 200625). Philadelphia is not the first city to enact such a bill. Other large cities like New York and DC have also banned pre-employment testing with exceptions (Maurer, 2023).
Since marijuana was legalized for medical use in PA in 2016, there have been lawsuits against employers who terminated employees for returning a drug test positive for marijuana (Rodgers, 2023). There is also a level of discrimination with marijuana users, with many Black and brown people being in prison for possession while many white folks are now capitalizing on the industry. This imbalance creates a bias where employers may make assumptions of a Black person using marijuana vs. a white person using Marijuana. Councilmember Derek Green, who introduced the bill, also cited that there were many people on the autism spectrum struggling to find work due to their marijuana use (Hetrick, 2022).
This policy includes marijuana in any form. Marijuana is classified as a schedule 1 substance.
This policy protects marijuana users from workplace discrimination. With the substance being legalized for medical use it is now able to be used by cancer patients, as MAT in some instances, or for anxiety. As stated above, it also helps people of color at a different level based on stigma of employers.
Because of this policy amendment, more people are able to apply for work without the fear of being passed over because of a positive marijuana drug test. However, many people are not aware of the law. The city reports it has received no complaints about employers not following the law since the bill was enacted (Forman, 2023). There are two assumptions here, one: employers are following the law and two: people aren’t aware they can report an employer who is not following the law.
References
City of Philadelphia Bill No. 200625. Chapter 9-4700 Prohibition on testing for marijuana as a
condition for employment.
Forman, B. (2023, January 25). Philly workers can dispute their potential employer over
marijuana testing. but do they know about it?. https://www.inquirer.com.
Hetrick, C. (2022, January 6). What to know about Philadelphia’s ban on pre-hire marijuana
testing. https://www.inquirer.com.
Maurer, R. (2023, December 21). Pre-employment marijuana screens will be outlawed for many
in Philadelphia. SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/
pre-employment-marijuana-screens-will-outlawed-many-philadelphia
Rodgers, M. J. (2023, November 16). New Pennsylvania laws affect pre-employment marijuana
testing. Iprospectcheck. https://iprospectcheck.com/new-pennsylvania-laws-
affect-pre-employment-marijuana-testing/
Classmate #2 Post to Response to:
Abigail Kraus
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 was first signed by President Barack Obama in July of 2016. It was the most first major federal addiction legislation in 40 years. This piece of legislation was created to address the opioid epidemic in the United States. The goals of CARA were to improve access to treatment and programs, increase prevention efforts, and support law enforcement initiatives (The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, 2016). Specifically, it was also to address the lack of care and treatment in rural and urban areas.
Before this act was created, there was an increase in deaths from prescriiption medications, opioids, and heroin. Factors that lead to the increase of the deaths were accidental overdoses, suicide, and limited availability of resources and treatment. Overall the goal was harm reduction (Measuring Success in Substance Use Grant Programs: Outcomes and Metrics for Improvement, 2020). It has authorized more than $181 million each year in funding to battle the epidemic.
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act addresses specifically prescriiption opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Even though it primarily addresses these drugs, it also overall addresses substance abuse as a whole and can include alcohol, cocaine, and meth. The population that is impacted mostly are the individuals who have substance use disorder. They are using the resources and programs that are created specifically for them. They are able to receive proper care and gain medical assisted treatment. It also affects the families of those who are suffering with substance use disorder by providing programs that support them. Those who are in the medical field are also impacted because they are administering naloxone and responding to opioid overdoses (Measuring Success in Substance Use Grant Programs: Outcomes and Metrics for Improvement, 2020).
There has always been a stigma around substance use, especially it being out in the public. There are stereotypes, labeling, and discrimination against that specific population. In the past, U.S drug policies have targeted marginalized groups disproportionately (Mancher & Leshner, 2019). Overall, the public view users are “bad people” and that their addiction is their fault. Users tend to be treated poorly and can result in negative effects on mental health as well as their overall health (Public stigma of opioid addiction, 2024).
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, (2021), Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act SAMHSA programs were measured. Specifically, building communities of recovery, state pilot grant programs for treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, first responders, and improved access to overdose treatment. The studies showed an increase in intake interviews in the postpartum women and communities of recovery programs. All clients received recovery support services but the studies did not prove how effective it was.
The OD treatment program, a toolkit guide, lesson plan, and curricula/training on prescribing overdose drugs and devices were delivered. More than half of those who were connected to treatment actually initiated treatment. Those who are first responders received access to administer drugs or devices for emergency treatment opioid overdoses. “21% of naloxone kits were administered and 1,815 overdoses were reversed (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021).”
Cara. CADCA. (2023, June 7). https://www.cadca.org/cara/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Measuring Success in Substance Use Grant Programs: Outcomes and Metrics for Improvement. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25745.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019). Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25310.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine. (2021). Progress of Four Programs from the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. National Academies Press (US).doi: 10.17226/26060.
Public stigma of opioid addiction. Recovery Research Institute. (2024, February 23). https://www.recoveryanswers.org/research-post/public-stigma-opioid-addiction-opioid-use-disorder-medical-illness/#:~:text=Stigma%20related%20to%20opioid%20addiction,of%20people%20with%20opioid%20addiction.
