Taking a break from our usual topic of discussion, I want to discuss my potential ideas for the Issue Brief Project for this blog post. I have three options, however, the door is always open to explore a different perspective on the topic, or an alternative pathway altogether.
- My first topic is on the implementation of drug-addiction treatments within the criminal system. Despite it being decades later, the Nixon and Regan-era Drug Crime Laws continue to dictate what occurs within our government and justice system in regards to the criminalization of all drugs and the severe punishments which follow. After looking into research, it is evident to notice how prisons in the United States have seen an increasingly large number of individuals who suffer from drug addiction, yet few prisons provide any treatment or help. The population most at risk for fatalities involving “opioid-related overdoses” are those who are currently incarcerated or were recently released. Yet, ironically, they are also the population with the least amount of access to any type of treatment option. Through my paper, I will be advocated for drug-addiction treatments within prisons, rather than simply punishments, due to their success in producing evident changes in addictions and lasting results.
- The next idea that I am considering is healthcare reform. Healthcare reform is an issue with an extensive magnitude, influencing almost every American in some shape or form. My issue brief would delve into the disparities and challenges in accessing healthcare services, particularly among marginalized communities. I would find and discuss evidence which highlights the unequal distribution of healthcare resources, including access to primary care, specialist services, and preventive measures. I would explore how socioeconomic factors, geographic location, and systemic barriers contribute to disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Overall, these disparities have a harming impact on the overall population health and well-being and my brief would culminate with an emphasis of the importance of addressing healthcare inequities through policy reforms, community interventions, and improved healthcare delivery models.
- My last idea for a potential topic is the struggles faced by the aging population. Based on some early research completed, the United States’ demographic is shifting to be majority elderly population, yet the policies and acts put into place are not focusing on that, and thus, a lack of proper and sufficient care is emerging. Some of the key concerns include ensuring access to quality healthcare and long-term care services, addressing financial insecurity among older adults, promoting social inclusion and community engagement, and enhancing infrastructure to support aging in place. There is a pressing need to reevaluate pension systems, retirement policies, and workforce dynamics to accommodate longer lifespans and changing labor participation patterns. I have not seen one unified solution which is supported across the research, rather, most seem to advocate for a different solution, thus, there exists a need to explore all proposed solutions and come out with one unified solution which will provide the necessary reform.