I think it is imperative that the government try and step in and help put an end to this growing epidemic. I am 100% for any legislation that can make a change and help to reduce drug addiction. I think it is a remarkable idea that the senate passed a law permitting nurse practitioners to prescribe a medication that will lessen addiction cravings. In the past, only medical doctors could prescribe these medications. I think that by now allowing other medical staff to write the order shows the world how serious drug addiction is getting. It allows people to face the fact that drug addiction is a real thing that is significantly impacting the lives of the American people. Ignoring this issue and pretending like it doesn’t exist is not going to solve the problem. The only way we can solve it is by stepping in and establishing strategies to help find a solution to the dilemma. This new-formed policy gives nurses the ability to be leaders and be apart of the battle with addiction. Nurses no longer have to sit on the sidelines and wait for doctors to make a decision. They can now take a stand, be proactive and decide what is the best approach for a patient fighting addiction. This legislation show’s the country’s attempt to fight this destructive outbreak and is definitely a step in the right direction.

However, this article speaks about the ability for health care providers to fight the epidemic of opioid deaths. Nurses can now play a role in helping prevent deaths related to drug, specifically opioid abuse. Nurse practitioners are now allowed to prescribe buprenorphinen. This drug helps treat opioid dependency and is prescribed or dispensed by a physician. There are many benefits to Buprenorphine that can help those suffering with addiction. The FDA has approved different forms of buprenorphine products such as Bunavail, which is a buccal film, Suboxone, Zubsolv, which are sublingual tablets and Buprenorphine-containing transmucosal products for opioid dependency (Hochman 2016).

The article mentions that drug addiction is a health problem and is best treated by treatment, not a crime to be strictly enforced by law. I find this extremely important and feel as though many do not understand this. Incarceration seems to not work; few states have the money to devote to providing treatment for those addicts behind cell bars. The availability of drugs and desire to escape leads drug addicts to use more and for those not exposed to drugs prior to being incarceration, to begin using. By approaching these addicts by providing them with medical help and treatment, such as prescribing buprenorphine, we can help them recover (Find a Treatment Facility, 2016).

The Controlled Substances Act only allows physicians to prescribe medications for those addicted to heroin and other drugs, but hopefully once the final version is signed, NP’s and PA’s will soon be able to help fight against this epidemic. As the article states, “This legislation represents much needed progress in our national effort to combat the devastating impact of the opioid epidemic and nurses are committed to playing a leading role in treating patients battling addiction.” I believe that this will be a life-changing act to pass so that nurses can play a role in helping those struggling with addiction. I believe that medical help and health care professionals can help addicts not only recover, but help educate them to not relapse.

References:

Hochman, L. (2016, June 1). Heroin in New Jersey: By the terrifying numbers. Retrieved
September 28, 2016, from http://nj1015.com/heroin-in-new-jersey-by-the-
terrifying-numbers/

Find a Treatment Facility. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2016, from
http://www.crchealth.com/addiction/drug-addiction-rehab/drug-addiction-rehab-
2/home-2/addiction_is_illness/

By allowing NPs and PAs to prescribe buprenorphine, a task originally reserved for physicians, they are targeting and treating addiction in the community. Oftentimes, addicts are more likely to seek treatment from minute clinics or mobile units than a medical office and these clinics often employ NPS and PAs. CARA also “expands the availability of naloxone to law enforcement and other first responders to counteract overdoses” (CARA, 2016). By increasing the availability of narcan to officers, more lives are saved including those two mentioned above, since they can dispense medication immediately to treat overdoses.

Resources and acknowledgement has grown in the recognition of addiction as a disease that has impacted America’s citizens regardless of race, class and age. Thus CARA’s provisions aim to educate various age groups about the prevention of drug abuse. Goals orient around establishing awareness campaigns as well as divvying resources to the communities hardest hit by drug abuse. Oftentimes people do not see the harm or abuse potential of prescription medications since it is prescribed, “something meant to be taken.” Therefore, education on the harmful effects and addicting nature of these accessible drugs is necessary in a national awareness campaign.

CARA’s title IV provisions target incarcerated individuals who are at risk for relapse by increasing education opportunities and reducing the collateral consequences of conviction. Oftentimes incarcerated individuals return to their previous lifestyle out of familiarity or lack of opportunities. This is especially the case if they have prior convictions since employers are reluctant to hire people with a criminal history. Therefore, a task force with adequate resources designed to address this issue will decrease recidivism. CARA’s efforts to directly target addiction involve offering incentives to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations that create their own opioid abuse response initiatives. By targeting the cycle of drug abuse from prevention to rehabilitation, CARA hopes to halt the opioid epidemic. Response will likely be seen first in communities with more addicts seeking help as a result of the decreased stigmatization and increase in community resources.

References:

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA). (2016). Retrieved from http://www.cadca.org/comprehensive-addiction-and-recovery-act-cara

Volkow, N. D., MD. (2014, May 14). America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/testimony-to-congress/2016/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse

As of July 22nd, President Obama released a statement that announced his signing of this act into law. Based on the law NPs and PAs will be able to prescribe buprenorphine for the next 5 years. They will have to “complete 24 hours of training to be eligible for a waiver to prescribe and must be supervised by or work in collaboration with a qualifying physician if required by the state law” (American Society of Addiction Medicine, n.d.). Each state has different regulations and laws and nurses should reference their state laws to clarify prescribing eligibility.

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act has many other sections that aim to decrease the amount of opioid overdoses. This action brings to mind the law that now allows police, fireman, and other emergency service trained public servants to administer Narcan to those that are thought to be having an overdose. Narcan is an opioid antagonist and works to reverse respiratory depression that is caused by an opioid overdose. By allowing public servants other than medical workers to administer this drug there is hope that less lives will be lost to overdoses. Family members of opioid users are also able to carry Narcan in case their loved one overdoses. Although this is very controversial it is another measure being put in place to fight the opioid epidemic.

In Presidents Obama’s statement he stated, “my Administration has been doing everything we can to increase access to treatment, and I’m going to continue fighting to secure the funding families desperately need. In recent days, the law enforcement community, advocates, physicians, and elected officials from both sides of the aisle have also joined in this call” (Statement by the President on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, 2016). As a country we are taking strides to provide resources and proper care to those that need it, addicts or not. Not allowing competent and able medical workers to provide these services would be an injustice. Nurse Practitioners and PAs are becoming are large force in the medical world and if they are trained properly I do not see any reason why they should not be allowed to prescribe a drug that could possibly save someones life.

References:
American Society of Addiction Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2016, from http://www.asam.org/magazine/read/article/2016/07/19/the-comprehensive-addiction-and-recovery-act—highlights-for-members

Gold, J. (2016, July 19). Senate Bill Would Allow Nurses to Help Fight Opioid Deaths. Retrieved September 23, 2016, from /senate-bill-allow-nurses-help-fight-opioid-deaths/

Statement by the President on the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016. (2016, July 22). Retrieved September 23, 2016, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/07/22/statement-president-comprehensive-addiction-and-recovery-act-2016