Running head: OKLAHOMA SENATE BILL 511 Health Policy in the Arts, News, and Media: Oklahoma Senate Bill 511 Wayne Irion Health Care Sciences, Excelsior College HSC510: Healthcare Policy, Politics, and Power Dr. Ese Oghenejobo February 27, 2022 OKLAHOMA SENATE BILL 511 2 Introduction Public health safety is vital for our communities. Regardless of the capacity for which we serve, healthcare leadership must put the safety of its citizens at the forefront. Senate Bill (SB) 511 places the safety of fellow Oklahomans front and center. The bill focuses on harm-reduction services to protect our first-line emergency responders and the communities they serve. The paper analyzes SB511 and how it pertains to a media file I have selected by ABC news. Making a case for SB511 Oklahoma SB511 is a legislative bill that focuses on using harm-reduction services to combat the current opioid epidemic. The bill defines harm-reduction services as programs that reduce the spread of infectious diseases from injection drug use, reduce drug dependency, and overdose deaths (58th, 2021). In addition, the bill increases the safe recovery and disposal of used syringes and sharp waste. The measure authorizes government agencies to conduct the following activities without the use of state dollars: Offer referrals and resources for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) and medical and mental health services; Provide education on the risk of infectious disease transmission; Provide rapid testing for HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections; Possess and distribute hypodermic needles, cleaning kits, test kits, and opioid antagonists; Collect and safely dispose of hypodermic needles; and OKLAHOMA SENATE BILL 511 3 Rapid substance testing products used to identify or analyze the potency or toxicity of unknown substances (58th, 2021). The opioid epidemic is prevalent in the state of Oklahoma. It is critical for Oklahoma to have a harm reduction program to improve safe work environments for emergency first responders while also reducing the negative consequences associated with drug use. We cannot just ignore the drug problem. We need to accept it and understand drug use as a complex phenomenon that includes behaviors that are severe drug use to abstinence. Healthcare leaders must learn that different social determinants of health and health inequities affect an individual’s vulnerability and capacity for dealing with drug addiction. Pros of a Harm-Reduction Program There are opponents of harm-reduction programs. Opponents claim that these programs encourage a culture of substance abuse and make neighborhoods less safe. However, there is evidence-based data to illustrate the effectiveness of harm-reduction programs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that syringe exchange programs are safe, effective, and cost-saving. CDC continues to state that harm-reduction programs are associated with a 50% decline in HIV and HCV incidence (Nicosia, 2021). Additional data indicates that people who utilize reduction programs are five times more likely to enter a drug treatment program and three times more likely to stop using. Cons of a Harm-Reduction Program The cons of a harm-reduction program are minimal. Most opponents say these programs facilitate and support the current opioid epidemic. They continue to say programs geared towards OKLAHOMA SENATE BILL 511 4 helping the drug user mean unsafe neighborhoods. A harm-reduction program is not a long-term solution; however, the evidence is vital to public health safety. Media Analysis: ABC News The video about Rhode Island opening a safe injection site supports the position for SB511. It shows how harm-reduction programs can promote public health safety while also helping individuals suffering from the throes of addiction. The video did not omit important information. It included information that supports programs while also stating information against specific programs. It was noted that opponents in Rhode Island say that harm reduction programs are enabling drug addiction. It was critical to point out that drug use is here and is not going anywhere. We need to focus on helping SUD individuals survive to allow them the chance and opportunity for sobriety. Recommendation and Conclusion The media source I selected for the analysis demonstrates the importance of having a harm-reduction program in place. Individuals who continue to suffer from addiction are human beings, and we owe it to them to not give up on them. Rhode Island is an excellent example of what having a program can do for the community. I want to mirror the program for Oklahoma. It is working for Rhode Island, and we need to move nationwide. Acceptance is critical for politicians and healthcare leaders. SUD is part of our world. We can either ignore it or work to minimize its harmful effects. We need to ensure everyone's voice is heard, including people who fight addiction daily. Listening to their voice ensures we create programs and policies that will serve them and provide them the tools for recovery. OKLAHOMA SENATE BILL 511 5 References Nicosia, D. (2021, October 4). Harm reduction: What is it and what are the benefits and risks? Recovery Unplugged. Retrieved from https://www.recoveryunplugged.com/harm-reduction-what-is-it-and-what-are-thebenefits-and-risks/ Rhode Island to open the country’s 1st safe…-youtube.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afv4VhRnsNg 58th Legislature. (2021, March 30). Oklahoma SB511: 2021 Regular session. LegiScan. Retrieved from https://legiscan.com/OK/bill/SB511/2021
