Drug addiction has been looked at as both criminal and behavioral problem,but looking at it from a behavioral stand point seems to produce better results.

Reasearchers agree that  approaches such as behavioral therapy produces a better outcome to drug addicts. In an article from the New York times, the author Maia Szalavitz , a former heroin addict,states that her addiction stemmed from a learning disorder. She believes that approaches such as behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy are more effective solutions to overcoming drug addiction. similarly  in an article by PBS Frontline

In an article printed in January of 2017 by the New York Times Editorial Board, the epidemic of opioids are discussed; but highlights an individual’s breakthrough. The editorial board of the New York Times declared that Katie Harvey, 24 years old,an heroin addict for three years stated, ” I need to go to detox”, Katie discussed with her mother. The article states that Katie had been to detox eight times before. This is Katie’s First time going on her own, states the editorial board. I gather from this information that a personal decision to get help is a more effective decision. A decision  that comes from within with produce better outcomes. Katie sought help eight times, that with the influence of others.Katie is getting detox help this time because she chose to. Acknowledging that you have a problem is the first step to a acquiring a solution.

The epidemic outbreak of opioid abuse rises treacherously in America. This epidemic is impartially claiming and destroying countless lives in its path. Sadly, children are being counted in this ordeal, many have become innocent victims of this epidemic outbreak. in an article by the editorial board of The New York Times, this concern was highlighted,  bringing to the forefront, the horrific, but real issues of this epidemic. The New York Times is a reputable source, founded since September 18th, 1851,ranks 39th in the world circulation and are currently credible publishers.

On January 16th  2017, The New York Times published an article, titled: Young Victims Of The Opioid Epidemic. This article states that opioid overdoses have claimed the lives of more than 300,000 individuals. That claim just in  the last fifteen years. Another jaw-dropping revelation in this article shows that this number includes 33,000 lives claimed by this epidemic in 2015 alone. The New York Times refers to a case in Pennsylvania, where a couple dies as a result of overdose, survived by their baby, who perished a few days later due to starvation.

The rise in the need for foster care according to The New York Times, are one of the attributes of this outbreak. They are claiming that there has been a significant rise in three years of the amount of children in foster care. The overdose of opioids are disabling parents, mentally, physically, emotionally and even terminating their lives. Therefore the children who are left behind are rescued by welfare officials or relatives, most children are placed in foster care. The problem is not being addressed properly by the state, federal or local officials as argued by the New York Times. Years of budget cutbacks constituted  to a loss of caseworkers. This detrimental domino effect creates a challenge to produce positive results in assisting the children that are affected by this epidemic crisis.

The abuse of opioids ( powerful prescription drugs ), has become undeniably one of our greatest concerns on the war on drugs. This epidemic has been proven by statistics, that children have become one of its prime victims. There isn’t a wide range of solution to this problem, due largely to the lack of financial stability in America. Children continue to suffer a plight caused by the very ones who should guard them ( their parents). There has to be a better solution, preferably, cutting at the root, so to speak, of the problem (the need for opioids). Are opioids the only avenue to solving the problem of pain?  could there be another way?

There are direct and indirect ways that this epidemic of opioid abuse affect children.  The New York times has expounded on some of the widespread topics.  Such as  are evident to the brutal nature of this epidemic:  parentless children, the lack of proper shelter, including foster care, insufficient governmental output or input, insufficient funding. All these factors are partial participants in the ongoing escalation of the needless suffering children experience from this epidemic. My personal belief is that if greater and more effective solutions are not reached sooner, this epidemic of opioid abuse will rollover to the next generation.  Our children are the future, we have to invest now to save the future (our children).

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/opinion/young-victims-of-the-opioid-epidemic.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FPrescription%20Drug%20Abuse&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=collection&_r=0

This article from The New York times is written by the editorial board,a credible source. I consider the New York Times to be a credible source because it is well known. The New York  Times was instituted for a reputable amount of time and is accountable for the articles it produces. This article on the rising epidemic on the abuse of prescription drugs, highlights the horrific but realistic consequences of this epidemic.

Prescription drugs (painkillers) are being abused in even greater numbers across the United States. The article states that the overdose of prescription drugs have claimed some 300,000 in the last 15 years,including some 33,000 in 2015 alone. This horrific outbreak doesn’t only affect the abuser of the drugs; but also those who are connected to them,for example,their families. The New York Times concluded that in the state of Pennsylvania last month,a couple died from overdose as a result of that their baby perished from starvation. The horrific consequences of prescription drugs are apparent nation wide and at a rapid growth. one main issue discussed in this article is the rise of children in need of  foster care. Due to the family’s dependency on the drugs, their ability to function normally is jeopardized. Dependency on these drugs leads sometimes to extreme parental neglect . In these instances the children have to be removed from the home. The safety of the child is first. Foster care comes in to play as a secondary solution, which logically causes a rise in the need of foster care services.