3 - Health Policy

Question 1

What is diffusion of innovations theory?

Answer 1

It helps individuals/organizations assess and plan for the spread of new ideas, policies, programs

Question 2

What are the 3 areas for innovation to diffuse?

Answer 2

1.) Characteristics of the innovation
2.) Communication channels
3.) Social system
What are categories of adopters: How quickly individuals adopt this new innovations (policy, idea, program)

Question 3

What are the 4 types of adopter categories of diffusion of innovations theory?

Answer 3

1.) Innovators
2.) Early adopters
3.) Early majority
4.) Late majority
5.) Laggards

Question 4

What are some characteristics that an Adopter Category might have?

Answer 4

They want to be the first to try the innovation; are venturesome and interested in new ideas; very willing to take risks; often the first to develop new ideas

Question 5

What are some of the characteristics of early majority?

Answer 5

They represent opinion leaders; enjoy leadership roles; embrace change opportunities; already aware of the need to change and so very comfortable adopting new ideas

Question 6

What are some of the characteristics of late majority?

Answer 6

They are skeptical of change; will only adopt an innovation after it has been tried by the majority.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of laggards?

Answer 7

Bound by tradition; very conservative, very skeptical of change; the hardest group to bring on board

Question 8

What is Prohibition in relation to health policies?

Answer 8

• Implemented in the 1900’s
• Intended to reduce drug use and associated harms
• Rather it led to:
  1.) An epidemic of drug poisonings
  2.) overdose deaths
  3.) created an illegal market supporting high-level, transnational organized crime.

Question 9

What does the CAPUD say about controlled drugs and substances act?

Answer 9

• that removal of the penalties from this act on all forms of drug possession and some forms of drug trafficking.
• Believes that penalties prevent individuals from accessing medical supports and harm reduction.
• That drug addiction and substance use dependence/disorder should be treated as a health issue

Question 10

What are the penalties for simple possession of substances under the CDSA?

Answer 10

7 years in prison for Schedule
5 years in prison for Schedule II
3 years in prison for Schedule III

• Penalties for trafficking are more harsh and in relation to the amount, whether weapons are involved, and if related to organized crime

Question 11

What are the results of a criminal records?

Answer 11

• They limit employment and housing opportunities
• They affect child custody
• Restrict travel
• They face decriminalization and exclusion.

Question 12

How can criminalization harm the family of the individuals?

Answer 12

May encourage stigma, social isolation, negative health outcomes, and financial burdens because of the criminalization of their loved one.

Question 13

What are some exception to simple possession?

Answer 13

• Decriminalization of cannabis
• Exemptions from the CDSA for supervised consumption, overdose prevention, and drug checking services.
• Exemptions for the medically supervised prescription of controlled substances.
• Exemptions under the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act giving immunity to anyone who calls 911 to report an overdose.

Question 14

What are the 3 models/ approaches to existing drug policies?

Answer 14

1.) Depenalization: occurs where criminal penalties for drug possession still exist, but there is a reduction in the use of criminal penalties
2.) Decriminalization: removal of criminal penalties in law
3.) Diversion: programs that direct individuals from criminal sanction to health education programs.

Question 15

What are reform objectives?

Answer 15

The goals of the change.
For example:
- to reduce health and social harms
- to promote public health and safety
- for cost-savings and systems efficiencies in healthcare and policing

Question 16

What are the 5 outcome domains which may be affected by reform objectives?

Answer 16

1.) Levels and types of drug use.
2.) Social integration of people who use drugs
3.) other crimes (including organized crime)
4.) Health harms
5.) The total social cost of drugs

Question 17

What can the eligibility criteria include in regards to simple possession of substances?

Answer 17

1.) Age
2.) Social group
3.) Previous and concurrent offending
4.) Place
5.) Drug type and quantity

Question 18

What are some actions taken upon detection of drugs?

Answer 18

1.) Deterrence strategies
2.) Therapeutic or education
3.) Enforcement
4.) Drug confiscation

Question 19

T or F decriminalization is associated with increased rates of substance use?

Answer 19

FALSE, according to some studies in Portugal, decriminalization is NOT associated with increased rates of substance use. It has infact helped overdose deaths have remained below the European Union averages.