Research and identify community resources in their local (Raleigh NC) area that provide
substance misuse services for individuals who belong to marginalized communities. After
locating these services, students will present their findings in a 5–7-page APA 7th edition
professionally formatted paper. The paper should include the following.
• Title Page (with author’s note)
• Abstract (with keywords)
• Introduction
• Discussion on the impact of racism, discrimination, and oppressive policies on
marginalized communities
• The identified resources in your community and how they work to combat these
issues (if there are no resources in your community, identify resources in a nearby
community)
• The gaps in services in your community, the impact on the marginalized
communities, and how social workers can best fill these gaps
• Summary and Conclusion
Introduction
The introduction must establish the scope and purpose of the paper.
Hook: Start with a compelling statistic on the national or North Carolina substance misuse crisis, particularly affecting minorities.
Background: Briefly define substance misuse and marginalized communities (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, undocumented immigrants, those experiencing homelessness).
Purpose Statement: Clearly state the paper's goal: "The purpose of this paper is to identify and evaluate community resources in Raleigh, NC, that provide substance misuse services to marginalized populations, analyze the impact of systemic oppression on health equity, and propose social work strategies to address service gaps."
🌍 Discussion on Systemic Impact
This section requires integrating literature on the structural causes of health disparities.
Impact of Racism, Discrimination, and Oppressive Policies on Marginalized Communities
Discuss how systemic issues increase both the risk of substance misuse and the barriers to treatment access.
Racism and Discrimination:
Increased Stress/Trauma: Experiences of microaggressions, police brutality, and racial discrimination lead to chronic stress (allostatic load), increasing the risk of using substances as a coping mechanism (often linked to higher rates of PTSD).
Implicit Bias in Healthcare: Healthcare providers' implicit biases can lead to the undertreatment of pain and suspicion of substance use in Black and Hispanic patients, resulting in poorer engagement and retention in treatment programs.
Sample Answer
📝 Research Content and Paper Structure Outline
Your paper's structure should follow APA 7th edition guidelines, including the required sections below.
I. Title Page, Author's Note, and Abstract
Title Page: Include running head (if required by your instructor), title, author name, university affiliation, course name, instructor name, and date.
Author’s Note: Typically includes acknowledgments or contact information related to the paper's focus.
Abstract: A concise summary (around 150-250 words) of the paper's purpose, the resources found, the analysis of systemic barriers, and the social work recommendations.
Keywords: List 3-5 keywords (e.g.,