The Addiction Epidemic -You are an acute care nurse practitioner who works

The Addiction Epidemic:

You are an acute care nurse practitioner who works in an urban emergency room (ER). You see many people who come to the ER who have overdosed on heroin. Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel may administer a drug that might reverse the overdose such as naloxone (Narcan). You may see three overdoses during each 12-hour shift; some of these patients are admitted to the hospital, and others are sent home with a consultation for psychiatric follow-up. You are becoming hardened to the issue and have begun to question what you can do to address this epidemic.

Please answer the follow questions in detail.  You will need to use two peer-reviewed nursing journals for this assignment. 

1.   You hear that the state health director is convening a task force. List four actions you can take to be invited to participate in this task force.

2.   Which other healthcare professionals should be included on the task force?

3.   Which state agencies and regulatory boards could add value to the discussion?

4.   Which information/experience could the APRN use to lead a discussion about widespread addiction?

5.   Identify three issues that might be brought up at a meeting that could derail a focus on public safety. Which tactics can the nurse use to bring the discussion back to the issue of safety?