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Empowering Practitioners: Leveraging Research to Transform Lives Beyond the Criminal Legal System

Empowering Practitioners: Leveraging Research to Transform Lives Beyond the Criminal Legal System
The "war on drugs" in the United States has long-reaching impacts that extend far beyond the criminal legal system. This complex issue exacerbates numerous social determinants of health (SDOH), which are the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. The research article "How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system" by A. Cohen et al. provides valuable insights into how these policies affect various facets of life, including employment, housing, education, public benefits, family regulation, substance use treatment, and the healthcare system.As a practitioner, you can harness the findings of this research to improve your skills and advocate for better outcomes for your clients. Here are key takeaways and actionable steps you can implement:

1. Employment

Employment is a crucial determinant of health, yet drug testing, criminal background checks, and professional licensure restrictions create significant barriers. Practitioners can:

2. Housing

Stable housing is essential for health, but drug war policies often lead to evictions and homelessness. Practitioners can:

3. Education

Education is a strong predictor of health, yet punitive responses to drug use in schools can hinder students' success. Practitioners can:

4. Public Benefits

Economic and food insecurity are linked to poor health outcomes, yet drug policies restrict access to public assistance. Practitioners can:

5. Family Regulation

Drug war logic in the family regulation system often leads to family separation. Practitioners can:

6. Substance Use Treatment System

Substance use treatment should be supportive, not punitive. Practitioners can:

7. Healthcare System

People with SUDs often face stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. Practitioners can:In conclusion, the impacts of the drug war on social determinants of health are profound and far-reaching. By understanding these effects and taking action, practitioners can play a crucial role in promoting health and wellbeing for individuals and communities. To read the original research paper, please follow this link: How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system.

Citation: Cohen, A., Vakharia, S. P., Netherland, J., & Frederique, K. (2022). How the war on drugs impacts social determinants of health beyond the criminal legal system. Annals of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2022.2100926
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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