Drug Addiction and Overdose

Running head: DRUG ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE
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Drug addiction and overdose
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DRUG ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE
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Definition and clarification of the principle of the common good in relation to
increasing drug addiction and overdose
The principle of the common good refers to all social conditions that allows people,
either in groups or individually to achieve their fulfillment easily and fully. It’s all about healthy
progress (Dowell, Zhang, Noonan, & Hockenberry, 2016). Drug addiction has however
hampered such progress and fulfillment. People suffering from drug addiction also suffer from
mental disorders, HIV/AIDS due to sharing of contaminated syringes. Furthermore, most of
them are arrested thus fail to achieve their fulfillments in life.
Critical analysis with focus on shared responsibility for the common good not being
achieved locally and globally
Increased drug addiction has really hampered the progress and fulfillment of life among
different people. First of all, drug addiction and overdose has contributed to death both locally
and globally (Hall & Miczek, 2019). The World Health Organization report that nearly 190,900
people died as a result of drugs especially opioids. Locally, the rate or prevalence of HIV/AIDS
has increased from 12 % to 16% in the last five years and it is attributed to sharing of
contaminated syringes among drug addicts (Humphreys, 2017). Furthermore, drug addiction and
overdose has also contributed to poverty and violence both locally and globally. Studies report
that majority of drug addicts are spending much on drugs instead of investing thus leading to
poverty. Some drugs such heroin, narcotics and marijuana also stimulate violence among drug
addicts and this has led to significance deaths (Humphreys & Pollack, 2019). All these effects
are avoidable. It is therefore important that relevant strategies are implemented so as to enable
victims of drugs addiction and overdose to achieve fulfillment in their lives.

DRUG ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE
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Strategies to address drug addiction and overdose
Support use of medication. Several studies show that it is possible for a drug addict to
recover with the intervention of certain medications. Randomized controlled trials show that
drugs such as suboxone, methadone, naltrexone and naloxone improve the rate of both alcohol
and tobacco abstinence (Kolodny et al., 2015). It is therefore important that communities are
provided with this drugs and it should not be perceived as a violation of sobriety. This method is
suitable as opposed to other puritanical and outdated techniques and notions about recovery.
Exposure of facilities or centers that do not provide comprehensive treatment for
substance abuse. In a recent survey conducted in Australia, results how that only 13% of
treatment centers offer the desired comprehensive treatment services for patients suffering from
drug addiction (Neale & Strang, 2015). Some examples of the treatment options for drug
addiction and overdose include the 12 step recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous
and the Narcotics Anonymous. However, this methods are not effective alone. They should be
complemented with cognitive-behavioral therapy, prevention of relapse, motivational
enhancement and even family education and support. Furthermore, wellness efforts and
medication are encouraged to prevent relapse and sustain sobriety. Failure to provide
comprehensive treatment is one of the reasons why drug abuse and overdose has remained
relatively high (Sou, 2016). It is therefore high time to expose the centers that do not offer the
recommended comprehensive treatment services for necessary action.
Healthcare workers, patients and families should be educated about good addiction
treatment. Most of the patients suffering from drug addiction and overdose are unaware of the