According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there were 3,714 suspected opioid deaths in Arizona between 2017 and November 2019 (Arizona Department of Health Services, 2019). The department maintains that opioid use among teenagers aged 18 to 25 is widespread. Many hold it that since it is a prescription drug, its usage is safe. In November 2019, there were over 250,000 opioid prescriptions in Arizona, a health aspect that leads many youths to believe that the drug is safe.
Priority Behavior and Environmental Factors
Young adults aged 18 to 25 are agile, experimental, and eager to try out new behaviors. Due to peer pressure, they are easily tempted to start using opioids as a prescription drug. Temple City has, in the recent past, had many locals ingest traces of opioids in wastewater. The epidemic has resulted in many consuming the drug without their knowledge. The youths under study were identified from health facilities and had reported on opioid overdose and use.
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Figure 1
Note. Data for age groups for highest number of verified opioid overdoses, from Arizona Department of Health Services (2019)
The graph above shows which age groups have the highest number of verified opioid overdoses in Arizona, with young adults aged 25 to 34 having the highest prevalence of opioid use. In Temple, Arizona, opioid use is prevalent with high cases of overdose reported. Temple’s Maricopa County has the highest opioid casualties in the city. Out of 910 overdose cases in 2018, in Arizona, about 538 were from Temple’s Maricopa County.
Predisposition, Enabling, and Reinforcing Factors
Figure 2
Note. Data for most affected, prevalent, and likely group to try opioids are youths aged 18 to 25 from Tempegov (“n.d.”).
From the statistics above, the most affected, prevalent, and likely group to try opioids are youths aged 18 to 25. Due to their dramatic prevalence of trying out new things and inquisitiveness, this group has the highest chance to try out opioids with the belief that it is a standard painkiller drug. It is further reinforced by the fact that there are few strategic mechanisms to monitor and survey opioid use among the selected aged group. Another enabling factor is prevalent drug dealers who avail the drugs to the youths all over the city.
Program Goal
The primary goal of this health topic is to decrease the number of young adults aged 18 to 25 that are affected by opioid use. The goals include:
Creating awareness among young adults on the dangers of opioid use
Highlighting on the need for behavior change and improve on strategies to decrease opioid addiction and its consequences
Adoption of healthy living standards
Implementation
The opioid addiction program will be implemented in schools and colleges. The program will partner with the school or college administration to offer talks and sharing on opioid addiction. Through the partnership, newsletter, posters, and booklets highlighting on opioid use will be shared with the students.
Reference
Arizona Department of Health Services. (2019, November 8). AZDHS: Opioid Epidemic. Retrieved November 21, 2019, from https://www.azdhs.gov/prevention/womens-childrens-health/injury-prevention/opioid-prevention/opioids/index.php#dashboard.
Tempegov. (n.d.). Opioid Abuse Probable EMS Call Dashboard. Retrieved November 21, 2019, from https://tempegov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/374b80b6ab65483e8ea4d30bf0100c23.
