Continuity of Care during a Natural Disaster . Publc Health Perspective

Ilicit drug abuse  is a growing public health concern ; nearly 2.4 million people in the United States have a SUD or Substance Abuse Disorder (SAMSA,2015) related to prescription opioid prescription drug misuse . Approximately half a million people  are currently addicted to Heroin , Methamphetamine use is also on the rise as well as other drugs whose base are constructed from anasthetics such as Fentanyl and cocain. Data on privately insured individuals aged 18 to 64 from the yar 2010 to 2014 from Truven Health Analytics Market Scan Commercial Claims and Encounters data base shows that 40 % of patients did not recieve any follow up services within 30 days following an opioid related hospitalization. The mechanisms by which this type of addiction occures is termed cross addiction which happens insiduously while the patient is recieving pharmacotherapeutics for pain management in the treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis , rheumatoid arthritis , psychosocial conditions and post injury from sports injuries; and near fatal automobile accidents (CDC.gov,2016). Although this is a crisis that currently threatens populations , and I say populations because at it stands if we gatherd all of the people addicted to illicit drugs in the U.S they would be enough to fill two states ; whose sole population would be constructed of addicts ; what of the persons currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for addiction when faced with a natural disaster . How does this affect there treatment and there ability to comply with the thereapeutic regimen? . Are they face with a new crisis such as patients recieving cancer treatment who also are submerged in a  crisis due to natural disaster. What of there ability to complete a therapeutic regiomen? Not to mention the thousands of patients who rely on such life saving medication such as insulin ; where these are costly and merit strict refrigeration ; which in turn are supplied through electrical power. There are currently over 36 million diabetics in the United States which lead Public Health to question  the effectivness of Public Health Processes Procedures and Sustainablity .  The National Cancer Institute currently provides program implementation and strategics for the continuation of cancer care and pharmacotherapeutics during a natural disaster ; and it is my belief that many of these strategies can alsobe implemented to vulnerable populations such as addicts and diabetic populations to off set he burdo of secndary disease attainmentstemming from a natural disaster and to provide effective care even under the most dire circumstances; especially for populations in rural communities because of the added nature of said distance , topography,   geography , and lack of resources.


References 

CDC(2017) Opioid Addiction . retrieved from http.www.cdc.gov

SAMSHA(2016) The CBHSQ Report .Retrieved from http.www.samsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_2117 shortRpor-2117.pf