HEROIN EPIDEMIC

Heroin Epidemic
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Institution

Heroin Epidemic
The heroin epidemic is one of the most severe challenges facing the healthcare sector today. The outbreak resulted in 7,000 deaths from overdoses among middle-aged adults in 2013 alone (Case & Deaton, 2016). Nevertheless, several measures have been taken by the healthcare sector to try and curb the epidemic to prevent more people from becoming heroin addicts. In this context, the paper discusses methods such as monitoring drug prescriptions, increasing the availability of opioids addiction treatment drugs, and adopting a continued-care approach as effective methods for addressing the heroin epidemic.
In response to the heroin epidemic, many states have adopted the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) (Penm et al., 2017). The program encourages doctors to consider therapies that do not involve prolonged heroin medication. According to Srivastava and Gold (2018), all physicians are currently required by the law to have licenses before being allowed to prescribe heroin opioids to a patient. Moreover, both the patient and the doctor’s eligibility are evaluated and reasons why the drug should be administered to the patient clearly stated. According to Srivastava and Gold (2018), licensed doctors are only allowed to administer up to 80 milligrams of dosage per patient. The dosage helps reduce the risk of side effects or the chances of one developing an addiction problem.
Moreover, health departments should issue emergency responders with naloxone, methadone, Porcupine or buprenorphine to help suppress cravings and the withdrawal symptoms of patients with heroin addiction (Penm et al.

, 2017). These opioids addiction treatment drugs interact with the same section of the human brain as heroin. They block the receptor sites of the opioids thus lowering the urge for heroin.
Lastly, doctors treating patients suffering from heroin addictions should adopt a continued-care approach (Srivastava & Gold, 2018). After detoxifying and counseling the users, the physicians should continue to monitor the patient’s progress at least for five years. Observing them should also involve frequent drug testing and treatment of psychiatric issues that may arise from withdrawal or revival of the cravings.
Conclusively, implementation of the PDMP, administering opioids that counter the urge for heroin and giving care to patients after detoxification can eliminate heroin epidemic. PDMP ensures that the heroine is administered strictly on medical reasons and when necessary. Opioids such as naloxone can be used to reduce the withdrawal effects and cravings. Also, physicians treating the addicts should continuously assess the progress of the patients after detoxification.

References
Case, A., & Deaton, A. (2016). Rising morbidity and mortality in midlife among white non-Hispanic Americans in the 21st century. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,113(7), 15078-15083.
Penm, J., Mackinnon, N. J., Boone, J. M., Ciaccia, A., Mcnamee, C., & Winstanley, E. L. (2017). Strategies and policies to address the opioid epidemic: A case study of Ohio. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association,57(2), 148-153.
Srivastava, A. B., & Gold, M. S. (2018). Beyond Supply: How We Must Tackle the Opioid Epidemic. Mayo Clinic Proceedings,93(3), 269-272.