Disasters, for the most part, occur without warning and can have devastating effects. Forces of nature and geological shifts in the earth’s inner core can instantaneously alter the lives of individuals and entire communities.

Discussion: Natural Versus Human-Made Disasters

Disasters, for the most part, occur without warning and can have devastating effects. Forces of nature and geological shifts in the earth’s inner core can instantaneously alter the lives of individuals and entire communities. When this happens, the cause of the event can be scientifically explained. Sometimes disasters are not natural events. Consider instances where human action caused the disaster. What if entire neighborhoods are destroyed by fire as a result of an individual intentionally starting a wildfire? What if an airplane crashes due to human error and kills hundreds of people? What if the lack of effective road and bridge maintenance leads to an unnoticed structural error, which later results in the collapse of a populated bridge in a busy city? At the same time, natural disasters can become more catastrophic due to human influences such as climate change, the manner in which communities build cities to withstand disaster, or social segregation causing greater impacts to some communities over others.

For this Discussion, think about similarities and differences in effects and interventions between natural and human-made disasters.

By Day 4

Post a brief comparison between natural and human-made disasters. Then, apply the ecosystem approach to explain how the various systems effect a disaster and how these systems influence intervention. Finally, explain what type of debriefing you would recommend to social service providers responding to disaster survivors.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Discussion 2

Discussion: Social Change Through Legislation

The repercussions of addiction are among the most pressing health and social issues worldwide. Although billions of dollars are spent annually in the United States attacking the problem, public policies on funding have yet to be agreed upon and remain controversial. The controversy revolves around which public policies best deter addiction: those that criminalize acts associated with the disorder or those that treat the disorder (Doweiko, 2019).

Given the ever-changing nature of legislation, it is important to stay informed about the most current reforms and public policies that may promote social changes in addiction treatment.

For this Discussion, search the Internet and select current legislation as it relates to reform and social change for the treatment and prevention of addiction. Your search may include the following types of legislation.

• Legislation targeting the criminal aspects of drug abuse
• Legislation targeting prevention of drug abuse from an early age
• Legislation promoting harm-reduction efforts
• Legislation targeting treatment of substance abuse

Consider how federal and state legislation has addressed addiction treatment and prevention. Research, review, and reflect on your professional code of ethics and how social legislation impacts an addiction professional’s ability to adhere to the code.

By Day 4

Post a description of which type of legislation might be the most effective in bringing about lasting social change for the treatment and prevention of addiction and explain why. Explain how social change legislation might support or undermine the professional code of ethics. Finally, explain the potential implications for a helping professional. Support your response using the resources and the current literature.