READ A SELECTION OF YOUR COLLEAGUES’ POSTS.

Respond to at least two colleagues with a critique of the gaps in service they identified for Joe. Then, describe a substance use or drug policy that you believe is unjust or disproportionately affects a certain group or population. Finally, describe the ethical obligations of social workers to make changes to substance use policies.

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.
Colleague 1: Ieshia
Post an explanation of how drug policies affect Joe’s circumstances, as described in the case study.

In the case study with Joe he needed General Assistance benefits to help with housing and Medicaid. Due to his previous drug conviction he is not allowed to receive any services from the County Division of Social Services. Joe needs his Medicaid benefits to remain active in his mental health treatment (Plummer, Makris, Brocksen, 2014). Joe served 3 years in jail because he sold marijuana in college. Joe has struggled with a dependency of marijuana but has remained sober for 6 months.

Explain any gaps in service you found in Joe’s case as a result of the drug policies described in the case study.

The major gap in these services is that Joe must suffer for a mistake he made in college. I believe if he is not a repeated offender and is trying to receive help for his condition he should be allowed to enroll in their services. Due to the policy anyone with a CDS distribution charge can’t be approved for the benefits. Joe won’t be able to receive cash assistance, Medicaid or housing. The case worker recommended he stay in a homeless shelter out of the county but that would disrupt his mental health treatment.

Describe a strategy you might use to address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe.

I would include a provision in the policy that states if a person has been actively working towards better themselves then there should be some type of forgiveness program, they could offer people like Joe. We could also give Joe random drug test to make sure he is continuing his sobriety. I believe if he continues to stay sober, he is actively trying to change.

Reference

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies:

Foundation year. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing

Colleague 2: Marilyn


Post an explanation of how drug policies affect Joe’s circumstances, as described in the case study:

Joe is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who came to the County Division of Social Services to apply for General Assistance (GA) benefits. The GA program provides cash assistance, Medicaid coverage, and housing for homeless single adult. Joe was arrested and convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and served 3 years in prison, he tried to sell the drugs while in college(Plummer,Brocksen,2014).

Explain any gaps in service you found in Joe’s case because of the drug policies described in the case study:

Joe made a mistake while in college, and it will always affect him, because he cannot get the services he needs, because of his past charges, he also lacks employment because of his background. Joe has not been in any trouble since time served in prison. In my opinion, since he hasn’t been in any trouble some type of assistance should be granted because he will get into more trouble as far as stealing because he cannot get the help he needs, to support his illness. The only option was given to Joe was that he should stay in the homeless shelter to continue his treatment (Plummer, Brocksen, 2014).

Describe a strategy you might use to address these gaps or make changes to the policies that affect Joe:

A strategy I might address as making changes to the policy, giving Joe another chance, because the mistake was made when he was younger, and the assistance that is needed should be granted to him. Joe has not been in any trouble since released from prison, random drug test would be the way to go and testing him for alcoholism. Another strategy would be giving Joe resources to jobs that will hire him with a criminal background.

References:

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore: MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

“Working with Clients with Dual Diagnosis: The Case of Joe” (pp. 77–78)