Currently, the opioid epidemic is spreading across the United States (U.S.) leaving individuals, families, and communities fractured. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2020) opioid overdose is the leading cause of mortality and disability among people with opioid use disorder in the United States and in 2020 the CDC reports that 500,000 people died of opioid overdose in the last two decades. The state of Michigan is no exception to this epidemic, as opioid related overdose deaths continue to rise every year. Recent available literature highlights the alarming death rates related to drug overdoses in Michigan with; 19,365 deaths from suicide, 8,790 deaths from alcohol related liver failure and 21,778 deaths from drug overdoses, out of 1,399,714 total deaths (Larsona & Bergmans, 2022). The availability of naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, is lacking throughout the state of Michigan and has further contributed to the rise of opioid related overdoses. In recent years the state of Michigan has positioned itself to reverse current trends of the opioid epidemic by passing key legislation focusing on harm reduction strategies. Current House Bill 5166 of Michigan legislation increases the availability of naloxone in the community by allowing community organizations to distribute naloxone directly to individuals from a standing order signed by Michigan's chief medical officer. Increase availability of naloxone in the community has potential to reduce opioid related overdoses, decrease healthcare costs, and decrease health disparities. Even with key legislation in place, roadblocks for implementation remain in place hindering the effectiveness of HB 5166 and similar legislation. This paper explores the potential impact of HB 5166 and increasing naloxone within communities of Michigan through a thematic health policy analysis. This policy analysis follows the framework of Bardach's Eight-Fold Path. A literature review was conducted along with interviews from key stakeholders within the community. Feedback from stakeholders created themes that were derived from a thematic analysis. The themes from stakeholders' feedback were compared with current evidence and alternatives. As a result of the policy analysis, this paper recommends the standing order created by HB 5166 to be signed immediately by the chief medical officer and to further allocate resources to support the implementation of HB 5166 and naloxone within Michigan's communities.
Read
