Memo to the President Regarding COVID-19 and Substance Abuse Policy

MEMO TO THE PRESIDENT REGARING THE COVID-19 AND RISING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
By
[Name]
[Professor]
[Course]
[UNIVERSITY]
[Date]
To: The President of the United States of America (USA)
The White House
From: [Name]
Date: 25th June 2022
Subject/Issue: Regarding the COVID-19 and Substance Abuse Policy
Introduction to Policy
The pandemic outbreak disrupted the lifestyles of individuals and companies nationally. According to the market reports, the COVID-19 outbreak increased substance abuse by 18% nationwide. Most individuals overdose on drugs like opium, cocaine, and marijuana. The market reports also suggested that substance abuse increased in frequency and quantity during the pandemic since the majority population lost employment and underwent continuous stress (Abramson, 2021). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also identified that individuals are disconnected from physical activities and healthy engagements, leading to drug consumption. CDC further claimed that the rise of telemedicine during the pandemic eased access to different substances, for instance, behavioral altering drugs, which increased concerns for the American government. The government reduced restrictions on telemedicine during the pandemic to combat the widespread virus. However, the American government failed to control the rising substance abuse among the population through effective policies (Abramson, 2021).
Details of Action Plan
* The American government introduced different policies to combat substance abuse during the COVID-19 outbreak. The policies are deployed to battle the increasing indulgence of substance abuse among the population (SAMHSA, 2022). In December 2016, the American government introduced the 21st Century Cures Act nationally to strengthen coordination between patients and caregivers while treating mental and physical disruptions caused by substance abuse. The Act ensured that the American government provided substantial grants at regular intervals to continue support for patients engaged in substance abuse. The policy is a set of guidelines for the caregivers to provide attention to patients dealing with medication, illegal drugs, and immense alcohol consumption (SAMHSA, 2022).
* However, the change in current policy is essential for the American government under current circumstances. Substance abuse consumption increased during the COVID-19 outbreak since the patients and individuals gained access to different medicines through telemedicine. The government eased the restrictions on telemedicine services to combat the widespread virus. Unfortunately, the ease of restrictions increased substance abuse practices among the individuals. The American government must revise the 21st Century Cures Act and align with the evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak.
* The government is recommended to strengthen the policies and restrictions for telemedicine to mitigate substance abuse among the population. According to Weigel et al. (2020), telemedicine enjoys minimal tradeoffs related to servicescape. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is not monitoring the telemedicine service providers with necessary compliance benchmarks during the pandemic to increas...