Roanoke Community Prevention Case Study

Substance abuse does not discriminate who you are or where you come from. Addiction has the ability to reach through every race, gender and economic status there is. Substance abuse is on the rise and does not seem to be slowing down. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “22.5 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2014. Only 4.2 million (18.5 percent of those who needed treatment) received any substance use treatment in the same year” (2015).

There is no doubt that there is a prevalence of substance abuse throughout several age groups. To a certain extent, a society is faced with the reality of controlling substance abuse. Or allow it run rampant throughout the community. Often times, we hear and read about the level of substance abuse among teen, young adults and mid-aged

Heroin addiction is one of the leading killers of adolescents and adults in the United States. In recent years, addiction has skyrocketed, and “the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths increased by 286 percent between 2002 and 2013.” In 2002, “100 people per 100,000 were addicted to heroin, and that number has doubled by 2013” (The National Institute on Drug Abuse 2013). The most affected populations include low income males, adolescents, and those who have a family history of addiction, due to their increased susceptibility and crime-ridden environment. While it may seem as though heroin addiction is “just another drug problem” in the U.S., it is actually a problem of major public health importance because there are numerous physical, economic, and social risks associated with heroin dependence. Heroin dependence in the United States accounts for brain damage, increased homelessness, crime, and incarceration rates, as well as economic decline.

Eof fathers with children in the United States were single fathers. Indeed, 62% of children living in Berks County are affected by poverty (Catlin, Jovaag, & Van Dijik Willems, 2015).

According to current statistics released by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, “In the United States in 2011, there were an estimated 25.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17. In the past year, more than one quarter of adolescents drank alcohol, approximately one fifth used an illicit drug, and almost one eighth smoked cigarettes” ("A Day in the Life of American Adolescents," 2013, para. 1). Substance abuse is major problem amongst adolescents. Some are experimenting, but some adolescents may become dependent on a particular substance. If one becomes dependent on a substance as an adolescent it could be detrimental to their future health and success as an adult. Spear (2003) stated in an article titled Alcohol’s

    The opioid and heroin addiction is affecting the upcoming generation drastically. There are babies being born with an addiction to alcohol, opiates, heroin, alcohol, or multiple different things. These drug addictions at a young age take a toll on the children 's bodies, they shake violently and cry uncontrollably. 1 in 10 children born in a hospital are addicted to one of the above mentioned drugs. The babies aren 't the only youth affected, there are also teens/young adults that who are addicted to these drugs. This

Substance abuse is a serious problem in the Appalachian area of WV. In an attempt to gain control of this problem within the poverty level population, WV has searched for a way to bring about change for those who utilize public assistance. Foster (2012) found the substance abuse problem within WV has grown exponentially over the last several years leading to serious problems within social and health service areas. This information confirmed a 2006 study completed by Morgenstern and Blanchard who predicted a serious spike if the problem was no addressed in an appropriate manner.

Summit County has several factors leading to poor access to comprehensive, quality health care. The poverty rate is 16%, the unemployment rate is 7.2%, and the uninsured rate is 14.1% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). There is also a high obesity rate of 28.4% . (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). According to Milio's framework for prevention (2014) the people that make up these statistics show that lower income, uninsured individuals have a poor health status compared to employed, insured individuals. Therefore, they are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. It is also interesting to mention that in Nancy Milio's research she found that most people, whether low, middle, or upper class, will choose the easiest option available the majority of the time (Nies & McEwen, 2015). People making unhealthy choices such as smoking, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, eating poorly, and remaining physically inactive, pose the greatest risk to heart disease. These lifestyle choices lead to obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol which are the main causes of cardiovascular

Adolescence, usually defined as individuals between the ages of 12 and 20, is a period of transition, brain development and challenges1, 2, 3. Adolescence is the peak time to engage in risk taking behaviors2. Substance use is a common occurrence among adolescents. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse has identified adolescent substance use as one of the United States’ top public health concerns4. In fact, an individual’s chance of becoming a cigarette smoker drastically declines if smoking is not initiated by the time the individual is 18 years old. Alcohol and Marijuana are the most commonly used substances among adolescents1,2,3. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Study, the Center for Antisocial Drug Dependence, Monitoring the

A major influence on health in a community is the availability of services and opportunities within the neighborhood. Public health can be further influenced by the social environments. Accessibility to health care along with education and employment opportunities are fundamental factors to be considered (Riegelman & Kirkwood, 2015). These elements create both advantages and disadvantages for those living within the neighborhood. If we want to improve public health outcomes, we must consider and evaluate these along with many other contributing factors.

Opioid abuse is extremely prevalent in today’s society. Many public health professionals are calling it the worst drug crisis in the nation’s history. (DeGarmo, 2017) Opioid abuse and addiction is an issue that goes beyond adults, it is plaguing juveniles as well. Juveniles are feeling the negative effects of this issue in many different ways. Some are watching their friends or family go through addiction, some have lost loved ones, and some juveniles are addicted themselves. I volunteered at the EB HOPE drop-in center which is located in East Bridgewater. The mission of the drop-in center is to provide resources to those affected by opioid addiction. They have an abundance of resources including retreats, rehabilitation centers, support groups, as well as faith based healings. They also have various support groups for family and friends of those addicted to opioids.

The amount of individuals who die annually from accidental overdose is extremely unnerving. One of the biggest issues the world is facing in the 21st century is prescription opioid and illegal drug abuse. Unfortunately, this lethal dilemma is not publicized in the media as much as other things such as celebrity drama, cancer prevention, or the newest fitness craze. The notorious opioid epidemic is in full swing and has effected individuals from all religions, cultures, and genders. Although it may seem like a collective issue, adolescents are in the most danger.

I live in the small community of Pleasant Valley, New York. Pleasant Valley is in central Dutchess County and is a suburban-rural community north of New York City. Pleasant Valley is a quiet 3 stoplight town consisting of residential areas as well as farms. The town is quaint and its name reflects it. However, in recent years, drug use by adolescents is on the rise. Pleasant Valley has had a member of the community die from heroin overdose as well as multiple arrests for possession and distribution of illegal drugs. These drugs consist of heroin, cocaine, prescription drugs and marijuana. Knowing these drugs are available in this small community puts its residence at risk. The U.S. Census Bureau lists persons under 18 years of age 23.2% of Pleasant Valley’s population. This is almost one-fourth of the community. The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess this vulnerable population. According to Nies and McEwen (2015), “the primary concern of community health nurses is to improve the health of the community” (pg. 92). Education is the first step in raising awareness about the

Substance abuse is one of the major issues affecting the community since many young people are either involved in the use of illicit drugs or the illicit use of legitimate drugs. As a result of this pressing issue, it's important for various stakeholders to be actively involved in helping young people involved in substance abuse. The involvement of community members and leaders in fighting substance abuse is also fueled by the fact that drug abuse is a problem that can be dealt with effectively at the community level. The involvement of these stakeholders is through developing and implementing substance abuse programs that are relevant.

Hannah is a fifteen year old girl who was recently sent to a rehabilitation center for the result of abuse of prescription medication. 6.1 million high school students currently use addictive substances, and like Hannah, 1 in 3 of them are addicted (“National Study Reveals,”2011). Although the number of teens using these drugs are decreasing, the numbers are still dangerously high. Due to it’s high risk of addiction, dangerous consequences, and growing availability, substance abuse among teenagers is a serious trend being presented among all United States adolescence.