Short-Term Consequences Of Community: Impact On Community
Impact on Community The epidemic has many negative consequences regarding impact on community. “Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug, and its use has repercussions that extend far beyond the individual user” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). “The medical and social consequences of drug use- such as hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, fetal effects, crime, violence, and disruptions in family, workplace, and educational environments- have devastating impact on society and cost billions of dollars each year” (NIDA). This has been a growing problem over the past decade. “Between 2000 and 2009, 45 states reported public safety, health, and economic harm stemming from heroin use, according to an index developed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy” (Pew Charitable Trusts). These impacts also effect the Cuyahoga County
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area. Three factors to consider are public safety, health, and economic standpoints to get a better understanding of such implications. Firstly, public safety is at risk as the heroin epidemic continues to be on the rise. This is mainly from the amount of time and local resources being spent curtailing the problem, which takes away from other public safety needs. “According to Lt. Paul Shepard with Fairview Park police, an overdose call requires two officers, three paramedics with an ambulance, and follow up” (Molina). “The more calls there are, the less available they are to help others in need” (Molina). Another public safety concern is increased violence due to this epidemic. “…Drugs of abuse may act on brain mechanisms that cause a high-risk individual to engage in aggressive and violent behavior. Individuals with costly heroin or cocaine habits may commit violent crimes in order to secure the resources for further drug purchases” (Miczek 377). “Under conditions of chronic heroin use, the direct effects of drug administration on mood significantly change. The euphorigenic effects of opiates are often replaced with feelings of confusion, hostility, and suspicion” (Miczek 391). According to research, most violent crimes of heroin users are caused from property crimes and interaction with drug dealers (Miczek 393). Break-ins (property crimes) and shoplifting are methods used to obtain heroin through selling the items in order to pay for their addiction. Not only is this epidemic dangerous for the people involved, such as the addicts and drug dealers, it is also dangerous for the public. Community members are put at a greater risk due to resources being sparse to combat the epidemic, as well as crime associated with the addiction. Secondly, health is another area in which this issue greatly impacts.
The abused drugs can have harmful effects regarding the physical and mental well-being of users. Physical symptoms can be broken up into two categories consisting of short-term use effects and long-term use effects. Short-term effects can consist of: nausea and vomiting, grogginess, confusion, dry mouth, itchy skin, constricted pupils, light sensitivity, lowered body temperature, slow breathing, lowered heart rate, and cyanotic (condition of being blue- hands, lips) (Drug Abuse). Long term effects of heroin use include: decreased dental health, excoriated skin, severe constipation, unstable immune system, weakness and sedation, malnutrition, sleeping problems, and decrease in sexual function (Drug Abuse). Mental health concerns include: depression, social isolation, memory problems, anxiety, and dependency (Drug Abuse). Health concerns also extend beyond the users and effects the community in which we live. These health issues can put a negative strain on health care providers through increased patient numbers/overcrowding. It could also put them in harm’s way if the user is
detoxing.
The spread of diseases is also a concern for health issues. Diseases can be passed from user to other users by means of unclean needles, but diseases attained from sharing needles can also be transmitted sexually to partners. This could cause a spike in these diseases being more prevalent in the community if unsafe practices continue or reach other innocent parties. “Injecting heroin with shared needles and non-sterile needle technique puts you in danger of acquiring certain infectious diseases. Some of these diseases – such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are also spread sexually” (Rehabs). Death from the addiction is another factor adding to health concerns of community members. “To date, at least 385 people have died in Cuyahoga County from heroin overdoses or related drugs…the total for 2015 was 228” (Farkas 2016). Death of family members and friends can take an emotional and financial toll on loved ones they leave behind. This could also negatively impact their health and well-being, and cause disruption to many lives.
Thirdly, the economic impact on the community from this epidemic should also be considered. There are many costs associated with this widespread problem, and they range in various numbers, but all add up to an alarming number. There are many aspects to consider that can cost the community a lot of economic resources. These include deceased costs, requested local resources, requested federal resources, health care costs, and costs associated with crime.
Deaths alone cost the community money. “Cuyahoga County expects to spend an extra $142,000 this year to transport bodies to the county morgue because of the rash heroin and fentanyl deaths” (Farkas 2016). “The county pays $375,000 annually to Esposito Mortuary Service for transport. This past year the county had to take money from the general fund to cover transport cost increases” (Farkas 2016). This illustrates just how out of control this epidemic is. “The increase of cases means supplies are running out and equipment is aging faster than expected…” (Farkas 2016). This also negatively impacts the employees of the Cuyahoga County’s Medical Examiner’s Office. It increases their workload, adds stress, and backlogs.
Requested resources are also economic strains on taxpayers. These funds also take away from other community development improvements, and will continue to do so if there is an ongoing issue. An example of this is “funding yet to be approved, in a total of 1.5 million pledged dollars from Cuyahoga County, the city of Cleveland, and the Alcohol, Drug, Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County to help tackle the heroin epidemic (Farkas, 2017). Money is also being requested at the federal level to help combat the issue. This again relies on taxpayers’ money. “Cuyahoga County’s top executive and medical examiner issued a joint statement announcing that the county had asked for increased funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services treat addicts and target dealers and importers of the deadly drugs” (Shaffer, 2016). Money is also being allocated to train first responders on how to deal with issues when they arise. “…In the next month, all Cleveland police officers will be trained to administer Narcan” (Niedermier, 2017). Training and the purchasing of Narcan all cost money.
Health care costs also effect the community. “The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) calculates that the direct health care costs account for $11 billion of the $193 billion overall cost attributed to drug abuse, partly through increased risk of HIV and Hepatitis C, overdoses, spontaneous abortions, collapsed veins, and compromises in cardiac, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, and pulmonary systems” (Bernazzani). Due to this potential range of effects, heroin abuse taps many health specialties, creating a drain on specialists and increased health care costs” (Bernazzani). There are 201 heroin related doctor visits on average per day (Cost). This can also pose a problem for other community members trying to get an appointment with a specialist by creating longer wait times for appointment. Many of these people are uninsured or on Medicaid which also attributes to high health care cost. “Health includes five components: specialty treatment costs ($3.7 million), hospital and emergency department costs for nonhomicide cases ($5.7 million), hospital and emergency department costs for homicide cases ($12,938), insurance administration costs ($544) and other health costs ($1.9 million), totaling $11,416, 232” (U.S. Department of Justice 3). The government pays for 46% of the $21.9 billion cost associated with heroin, while health insurance pays 3% (Cost).
Expenses associated with crime are another economic impact on the community. “Crime includes three components: criminal justice system costs (approximately $56.4 billion), crime victim costs (approximately $1.5 billion), and other crime costs (approximately $3.5 billion), totaling $61,376,694,000” (Economics). The combined economic areas of deceased costs, requested local resources, requested federal resources, health care costs, and costs associated with crime, have already put a strain on budgets, and the problem is continuing to rise.
The heroin epidemic has a large impact on the community. It impacts the community through public safety, health, and economic standpoints. Public health is at risk with the amount of resources being spent to control the problem, as well as increase in crimes in locations of use and surrounding areas. Health of the individuals involved with heroin are impacted through side effects, disease, and death. Disease can spread to other community members, and the death of the addict can create an emotional hardship on them too. Economic resources are also being spent at an alarming rate, with numbers in the billions at a federal level, and millions at the local. It is important to understand how this social problem impacts the community in which we live, not only to get a better understanding, but to make a meaningful dent in the process.
area. Three factors to consider are public safety, health, and economic standpoints to get a better understanding of such implications. Firstly, public safety is at risk as the heroin epidemic continues to be on the rise. This is mainly from the amount of time and local resources being spent curtailing the problem, which takes away from other public safety needs. “According to Lt. Paul Shepard with Fairview Park police, an overdose call requires two officers, three paramedics with an ambulance, and follow up” (Molina). “The more calls there are, the less available they are to help others in need” (Molina). Another public safety concern is increased violence due to this epidemic. “…Drugs of abuse may act on brain mechanisms that cause a high-risk individual to engage in aggressive and violent behavior. Individuals with costly heroin or cocaine habits may commit violent crimes in order to secure the resources for further drug purchases” (Miczek 377). “Under conditions of chronic heroin use, the direct effects of drug administration on mood significantly change. The euphorigenic effects of opiates are often replaced with feelings of confusion, hostility, and suspicion” (Miczek 391). According to research, most violent crimes of heroin users are caused from property crimes and interaction with drug dealers (Miczek 393). Break-ins (property crimes) and shoplifting are methods used to obtain heroin through selling the items in order to pay for their addiction. Not only is this epidemic dangerous for the people involved, such as the addicts and drug dealers, it is also dangerous for the public. Community members are put at a greater risk due to resources being sparse to combat the epidemic, as well as crime associated with the addiction. Secondly, health is another area in which this issue greatly impacts.
The abused drugs can have harmful effects regarding the physical and mental well-being of users. Physical symptoms can be broken up into two categories consisting of short-term use effects and long-term use effects. Short-term effects can consist of: nausea and vomiting, grogginess, confusion, dry mouth, itchy skin, constricted pupils, light sensitivity, lowered body temperature, slow breathing, lowered heart rate, and cyanotic (condition of being blue- hands, lips) (Drug Abuse). Long term effects of heroin use include: decreased dental health, excoriated skin, severe constipation, unstable immune system, weakness and sedation, malnutrition, sleeping problems, and decrease in sexual function (Drug Abuse). Mental health concerns include: depression, social isolation, memory problems, anxiety, and dependency (Drug Abuse). Health concerns also extend beyond the users and effects the community in which we live. These health issues can put a negative strain on health care providers through increased patient numbers/overcrowding. It could also put them in harm’s way if the user is
detoxing.
The spread of diseases is also a concern for health issues. Diseases can be passed from user to other users by means of unclean needles, but diseases attained from sharing needles can also be transmitted sexually to partners. This could cause a spike in these diseases being more prevalent in the community if unsafe practices continue or reach other innocent parties. “Injecting heroin with shared needles and non-sterile needle technique puts you in danger of acquiring certain infectious diseases. Some of these diseases – such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are also spread sexually” (Rehabs). Death from the addiction is another factor adding to health concerns of community members. “To date, at least 385 people have died in Cuyahoga County from heroin overdoses or related drugs…the total for 2015 was 228” (Farkas 2016). Death of family members and friends can take an emotional and financial toll on loved ones they leave behind. This could also negatively impact their health and well-being, and cause disruption to many lives.
Thirdly, the economic impact on the community from this epidemic should also be considered. There are many costs associated with this widespread problem, and they range in various numbers, but all add up to an alarming number. There are many aspects to consider that can cost the community a lot of economic resources. These include deceased costs, requested local resources, requested federal resources, health care costs, and costs associated with crime.
Deaths alone cost the community money. “Cuyahoga County expects to spend an extra $142,000 this year to transport bodies to the county morgue because of the rash heroin and fentanyl deaths” (Farkas 2016). “The county pays $375,000 annually to Esposito Mortuary Service for transport. This past year the county had to take money from the general fund to cover transport cost increases” (Farkas 2016). This illustrates just how out of control this epidemic is. “The increase of cases means supplies are running out and equipment is aging faster than expected…” (Farkas 2016). This also negatively impacts the employees of the Cuyahoga County’s Medical Examiner’s Office. It increases their workload, adds stress, and backlogs.
Requested resources are also economic strains on taxpayers. These funds also take away from other community development improvements, and will continue to do so if there is an ongoing issue. An example of this is “funding yet to be approved, in a total of 1.5 million pledged dollars from Cuyahoga County, the city of Cleveland, and the Alcohol, Drug, Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County to help tackle the heroin epidemic (Farkas, 2017). Money is also being requested at the federal level to help combat the issue. This again relies on taxpayers’ money. “Cuyahoga County’s top executive and medical examiner issued a joint statement announcing that the county had asked for increased funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services treat addicts and target dealers and importers of the deadly drugs” (Shaffer, 2016). Money is also being allocated to train first responders on how to deal with issues when they arise. “…In the next month, all Cleveland police officers will be trained to administer Narcan” (Niedermier, 2017). Training and the purchasing of Narcan all cost money.
Health care costs also effect the community. “The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) calculates that the direct health care costs account for $11 billion of the $193 billion overall cost attributed to drug abuse, partly through increased risk of HIV and Hepatitis C, overdoses, spontaneous abortions, collapsed veins, and compromises in cardiac, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, and pulmonary systems” (Bernazzani). Due to this potential range of effects, heroin abuse taps many health specialties, creating a drain on specialists and increased health care costs” (Bernazzani). There are 201 heroin related doctor visits on average per day (Cost). This can also pose a problem for other community members trying to get an appointment with a specialist by creating longer wait times for appointment. Many of these people are uninsured or on Medicaid which also attributes to high health care cost. “Health includes five components: specialty treatment costs ($3.7 million), hospital and emergency department costs for nonhomicide cases ($5.7 million), hospital and emergency department costs for homicide cases ($12,938), insurance administration costs ($544) and other health costs ($1.9 million), totaling $11,416, 232” (U.S. Department of Justice 3). The government pays for 46% of the $21.9 billion cost associated with heroin, while health insurance pays 3% (Cost).
Expenses associated with crime are another economic impact on the community. “Crime includes three components: criminal justice system costs (approximately $56.4 billion), crime victim costs (approximately $1.5 billion), and other crime costs (approximately $3.5 billion), totaling $61,376,694,000” (Economics). The combined economic areas of deceased costs, requested local resources, requested federal resources, health care costs, and costs associated with crime, have already put a strain on budgets, and the problem is continuing to rise.
The heroin epidemic has a large impact on the community. It impacts the community through public safety, health, and economic standpoints. Public health is at risk with the amount of resources being spent to control the problem, as well as increase in crimes in locations of use and surrounding areas. Health of the individuals involved with heroin are impacted through side effects, disease, and death. Disease can spread to other community members, and the death of the addict can create an emotional hardship on them too. Economic resources are also being spent at an alarming rate, with numbers in the billions at a federal level, and millions at the local. It is important to understand how this social problem impacts the community in which we live, not only to get a better understanding, but to make a meaningful dent in the process.