Topic > A Certified Peer Recovery Supporter

A certified peer recovery advocate can impact public policy through advocacy from a unique perspective. Their experiences provide real-life examples that demonstrate the needs of people with substance use disorders and public policy outcomes on success in recovery from substance use disorders. CPRA should not underestimate its ability to influence access to adequate, efficient, and effective quality treatment for people with substance use disorders. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The CRPA is in an excellent position to share with many community leaders the importance of adequate substance use disorder services available to its residents. Healthcare costs, access and positive outcomes are an important part of many policy agendas. While community leaders are often tasked with taking positions on various substance abuse proposals, it is the CRPA that truly understands the issues and, from personal experience, should enjoy the public's trust. It is important that CPRA prepares itself to be able to speak out where policy decisions are made. This gives CRPA the opportunity to educate community leaders by incorporating their experiences and insights into the conversation. The many opportunities CRPA has to observe firsthand the positive and negative aspects of the current system allow them to identify the needs and concerns related to the care that people with substance use disorders receive. When CRPA has the ability to share personal experiences and insights with community leaders, they can advocate for their clients and their families effectively and become a powerful force in the policymaking process. Whether CRPA is advocating for greater access to treatment or more funding for drug awareness education, their personal experience strengthens their ability to persuade community leaders to create the necessary changes regarding care and services in a variety of areas. While personal experience can highlight problems, it alone does not offer valid solutions. The CRPA also needs the ability to analyze these personal experiences so that it can propose valid changes and convince community leaders to accept these changes. CRPA should develop skills that enable them to participate in the public policy process. The CRPA should provide information to help the community understand the problem and solutions. This could be done through local media coverage, distributing leaflets and organizing presentations to local community groups. The cost and lack of access to treatment for substance use disorder make it very difficult for some people to receive the care they need to recover. People are often willing to share with CPRA the difficulties they face in obtaining the care they need due to cost and lack of access. Conversations with people with substance use disorders, neighbors, and the general public can highlight these situations and help CPRA address inadequate funding and access to services and the effect of this inadequacy on the person with substance use disorder in receiving services. A little effort by the CRPA can pay huge dividends in terms of helping people get the services they need. The CRPA can impact substance use prevention education by supporting K-12 school systems. The CRPA can.