Teryn McDermott
Fairbanks School of Public Health
PBHL-S315: Final Paper & Presentation
The Impact of Substance Use Disorder on Health in Indiana
PBHL-S315, Community Organizing for Health Promotion, was a class I took in the last semester of my undergraduate education. This course largely focused on the impact of community on public health and the importance of community involvement in policy development. In this course, we were asked to write a paper and create a presentation discussing a prominent public health issue in Indiana. I chose to write mine on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) due to the misinformation on the subject, as well as the genuine interest I have in this topic. I felt it was important to talk about, as often mental health-related aspects of public health are not discussed as in-depth as other areas. This felt like the perfect opportunity to do more of a deep dive on the topic.
​
​SUD is an issue that occurs all throughout the country. It has been observed that individuals who are American Indian or Alaska Native have higher rates of SUD, as well as higher rates of most substances, when compared to other races (SAMHSA, 2023). This is largely due to many overlapping factors, including socioeconomic status, generational trauma, as well as cultural practices. However, this issue is still very prevalent in other races and should still be an issue of concern for all races. Many factors contribute to SUD developing in Indiana, historical factors, rural vs. urban care options, and many other factors.
Organization: Drug Policy Alliance
Drug Policy Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote health and reduce harm associated and caused by drug use. Drug Policy Alliance accomplish these goals by driving missions to change the culture and societal impressions of drug use. On their website, they go into detail on the specific policies and initiatives they have taken part in and the impacts and goals of each.
Final Presentation: The Impact of Substance Use Disorder on Health in Indiana
Final Paper: The Impact of Substance Use Disorder on Health in Indiana
Many factors contribute to substance use and subsequent SUD in Indiana. Indiana has both rural and urban areas within the state, which creates an uneven distribution of treatment options. It is well-known that rural areas often lack the support and resources that their urban counterparts have. This not only creates a barrier for individuals to seek treatment and support, but it can also contribute to the issue by lacking prevention initiatives.
What I learned
I showcased this assignment due to many factors. I felt as though this assignment showed more variabililty in my work while in undergrad. I also felt like this assignment was unique in its requirements and showcased my research skills, organization, and critical thinking skills in a positive light. I learned a lot in completing this assignment. Most notably, I learned that addressing limitations in research is not always a negative thing. It is important to acknowledge, but can be useful if you also present possible reasons why this limitation occurred. This can make a viewer see the importance of the topic and completing further research.