Assessment Task 2: Policy Analysis Essay – Substance Abuse Disorder in Massachusetts

Course Code and Title

HLTH 345 / SWK 520: Public Health Policy and Psychological Disorders – Semester 1, 2026

Weighting: 35% | Due: Week 7, Friday 11:59 pm | Length: 3–4 page essay (1,500–1,800 words, double-spaced, excluding title page and references)

Context and Purpose

This task builds directly on the core topics of policy development, psychological disorders, and substance abuse. Drawing from real-world advocacy in Massachusetts, students examine how stigma, treatment access, and justice system responses shape outcomes for people living with substance use disorder. The assessment mirrors common university briefs used in social work, public health, and nursing programs across the US, UK, and Australia where lecturers ask learners to weigh two concrete policy options and recommend one with clear justification.

Task Description

Write a 3–4 page essay that analyses two policy approaches to substance abuse disorder. First outline the work of groups such as the Massachusetts Public Health Association and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services in supporting underserved communities. Then compare Policy Issue #1 (placing funded addiction health and recovery centres directly in low-income neighbourhoods) with Policy Issue #2 (reforming sentencing laws so that first- and second-time offenders with substance use disorder attend treatment instead of jail). Argue which approach appears wiser at this stage, discuss one major advantage and one obstacle for each, and end with a short recommendation that includes the role of centres like Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center. Use the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder and at least three credible sources. Submit in APA 7th edition.

Requirements and Guidelines

• Clear introduction that names the two policies and states your chosen position
• Body paragraphs that explain current stigma challenges, describe each policy with specific Massachusetts examples, and evaluate feasibility, cost, and political support
• Conclusion that links back to reducing overdose deaths and overcoming political barriers
• Minimum 1,500 words; maximum 1,800 words
• APA 7th title page, headings, in-text citations, and reference list (no abstract needed)
• Turnitin submission required; similarity under 20% excluding references

Marking Criteria (out of 100)

1. Content depth and accurate use of DSM-5 plus Massachusetts examples – 30 marks
2. Balanced comparison of the two policies with realistic advantages and obstacles – 25 marks
3. Clear recommendation supported by evidence and logical flow – 20 marks
4. Academic writing, APA formatting, and grammar – 15 marks
5. Range and relevance of references – 10 marks

Sample Answer Content (extract for guidance only – 168 words)

Massachusetts continues to grapple with rising opioid deaths that affect families across every postcode. State agencies created the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services years ago to coordinate prevention and recovery yet many residents in poorer districts still struggle to reach help. Treating the condition as a mental illness under DSM-5 criteria lets courts and doctors focus on care rather than punishment alone. Locating treatment centres inside the very neighbourhoods that need them most cuts travel barriers and reaches people early. Re-educating doctors about non-addictive pain relief could slow new cases but pharmaceutical lobbying often slows progress. One detailed modelling study found that expanding medication-assisted treatment access in similar states lowered overdose rates by noticeable margins. Groups such as MOAR and the Grayken Center keep showing how community-based support works when funding stays steady.

Hinde, J. M., et al. (2019). Increasing access to opioid use disorder treatment: Assessing state policies and the evidence behind them. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 80(6), 693–697. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2019.80.693

While community centres tackle immediate gaps, sentencing reform could free up prison space and save taxpayer money in the longer run. Recent data from Boston Medical Center’s Grayken Center demonstrate that dedicated departments inside safety-net hospitals already reduce repeat overdoses when placed locally. Challenges with verifying genuine need versus gaming the system remain real yet appear manageable through standardised assessment tools used in several pilot courts. Taken together the evidence points toward starting with accessible neighbourhood services because they face fewer political blocks and deliver quicker measurable gains in recovery numbers.

Sample Answer Content – Follow-up Paragraphs (for deeper understanding)

Policy makers often worry that treatment-first sentencing might let some offenders avoid real accountability. Still, programs that separate non-violent substance cases from serious crimes have operated successfully in a handful of counties and cut reoffending rates without extra cost. Placing centres near target groups also builds trust because staff live in the same streets and speak the same language. Over time these local efforts may ease pressure on the whole system once lawmakers see the numbers improve. Students who explore both sides in their essays usually notice that combining neighbourhood access with careful medical re-training offers the steadiest path forward right now.

References (suggested credible sources – use any three plus your own)

Hinde, J. M., et al. (2019). Increasing access to opioid use disorder treatment: Assessing state policies and the evidence behind them. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 80(6), 693–697. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2019.80.693

Pessar, S. C., Boustead, A., Ge, Y., Smart, R., & Pacula, R. L. (2021). Assessment of state and federal health policies for opioid use disorder treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. JAMA Health Forum, 2(11), e213833. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.3833

Rao, I. J., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of policies for addressing the US opioid epidemic: A model-based analysis. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, 3, 100031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2021.100031

Kennedy-Hendricks, A., et al. (2024). Licensure policies may help states ensure access to opioid use disorder medication in specialty addiction treatment. Health Affairs. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.01306

Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. (2025). BSAS dashboard and program overview. Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-substance-addiction-services

Next Assignment (Week 8 – 25% weighting)

Discussion Board Post and Two Peer Responses – Big Pharma Influence and Pain Management Alternatives. Course: HLTH 345. Overview: In 350–450 words post an initial response that evaluates how pharmaceutical lobbying affects overprescribing of opioids and suggests two practical steps doctors and legislators could take. Then reply to at least two classmates with 150 words each that add a Massachusetts-specific example or counter-point. Post due Monday; replies by Thursday. Use one peer-reviewed source from 2020 onward. Rubric focuses on evidence use, respectful tone, and connection to policy outcomes.