Opioid and Substance Abuse in Latin America

Carla is a 26-year-old woman from Medellin, Colombia. She works as a server in a local restaurant. Her employer found her unresponsive in the restaurant’s staff room and took her to the local hospital. After she was revived with the opioid antagonist naloxone (called la naloxona in Colombia), Carla was found to have nearly overdosed on opioids. Carla admitted to hospital staff that this was part of a pattern of episodic drug use she had engaged in over the past decade of her life.

Additionally, read the World Opioid and Substance Use Epidemic: A Latin American Perspective article to get a more holistic view of the opioid crisis in Latin America.

Prompt

Apply your disciplinary perspective to analyze and prioritize the major determinants of health implied by the case. In other words, defend your professional viewpoint regarding the most important factors that contribute to the health challenge. Then, in your responses, work as a group to refine those initial assessments.

Address the following elements.

• Identify the most important mental health considerations for this case. In other words, which mental health challenges are most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla’s case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
• Identify the most important nutritional considerations for this case. In other words, which nutrient deficiencies are most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla’s case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.
• Identify the most important food safety and insecurity considerations for this case. In other words, which drivers of food insecurities are most relevant for understanding and addressing Carla’s case? Be sure to substantiate your claims with evidence.