Implication of Executive Order 16-09

Running head: IMPLICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 16-09
Implication of Executive Order 16-09
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1IMPLICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 16-09
Part 1
Implication of Executive Order 16-09
Washington is currently facing the opioid overdose and abuse issue which involves
prescribed opioids and heroin. The death rates resulting from opioid overdose has
significantly increased in the past years. As much as 700 deaths were reported in the year
2015 for overdose. Also, it has been observed from a survey that 57% of those syringe
exchange clients who inject heroin claimed that they were subjected to prescription opiates
before they started using heroin. The purpose of this study is to understand the legal, ethical
and policy implication of the Executive Order 16-09 addressing the Opioid Use Public Health
Crisis,which was developed to combat the issue of overdose of inappropriate opioid
prescribing and its abuse. This study analyses the legal, ethical and policy implication of this
policy. The policy maker is Jay Inslee (Doh.wa.gov 2018)
Legal Implications
The doctors will be facing more challenges before prescribing opioid and heroin as a
result of Executive Order 16-09. As opioid and heroinare used to treat chronic pain, the
resources of the medical treatment for the health care agencies will be limited to treat the
issue. If the supply of opioid is restricted and reduced, the general people, as a result of this
issue, will be exposed to the difficulties of treating the chronic pain issues. The reduction in
the availability of opioids will not ensure its misuse or abuse. The policy lacks the measure to
restrict the chances of overdose of such drugs, rather it discusses the measures to recover
from such overdose. The health care agencies may also face the chilling effect of the policy
and might refrain from prescribing opioid as a measure to treat chronic pain. It directly makes
the health care organisations responsible for any prescription drug overdose. In addition to
this, to decide when to use and when not to use opioid may become an ethical dilemma for

2IMPLICATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 16-09
the doctors. This is because certain situations may make it mandatory for the doctors to use
opioid. The policy may hinder them from effectively carrying out their duties.
Policy Implications
However, the effort to reduce opioid and heroin abuse are well intended in the policy
as it may help in preventing the overdose death and associated risks. The objectives of this
policy also complies with the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 as well as
the Healthcare Quality Improvement Act of 1986. The policy has also helped in spreading
awareness of the best practices of opioid prescribing. The consequences of opioid overdose
has been promoted through the policy. The illegal practices of drug supply will be regulated
with the help of the proposed strategies. The strategies of Executive Order 16-09significantly
makes available the medication for the opioid abused(Stopoverdose.org. 2018). The policy
provides an access to utilize the opioid use disorder medication in criminal justice system.
Pregnant women are made aware of the opioid misuse and the processes to recognise a victim
of opioid overdose are also spread through this policy.
Conclusion
Hence, apart from the ethical, legal issues of implementing restriction on opioid use,
Executive Order16-09 is an effective way to reduce illegal dealing of opioid and heroin
overdose. An actual implementation of this policy will help in reducing the emerging concern
of issue resulting from heroin and opioid overdose will be addressed.