Participatory Community Inquiry in the Opioid Epidemic: A New Approach for Communities in Crisis

This book explores a research project focused on finding a community-level response to the opioid epidemic, arguing that it is a social disease arising from a lack of social connection and the "communal literacy" Americans need to deal with challenges together. It proposes and tests an approach called Participatory Community Inquiry (PCI), which helps groups acknowledge social goods, design practices, and undertake actions to support their common lives. It will be a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students in communication studies, sociology, and action research.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into a comprehensive research project aimed at discovering a community-wide response to the opioid epidemic. Drawing upon communication ethics, appreciative inquiry, and action research, it argues that the opioid crisis in the United States is not solely a pharmaceutical issue but also a social disease rooted in a lack of social connection and the "communal literacy" required for individuals to navigate the challenges they face together. The author questions how Americans can rekindle their social bond to rebuild vibrant and sustainable communities. To address this, the author proposes and empirically tests an approach called Participatory Community Inquiry (PCI), which assists groups in recognizing the social goods that unite them, designing practices that safeguard and promote those goods, and taking actions that support their shared lives. By shaping the discourse on rebuilding communities, this book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students in communication studies, sociology, and action research, with an interest in social ethics and community development and organizing.

Introduction:
The opioid epidemic has posed a significant challenge to the United States, affecting millions of individuals and communities. While the pharmaceutical industry has played a role in the crisis, it is important to recognize that the epidemic is also a result of broader social and economic factors. This book aims to explore a research project focused on finding a community-level response to the opioid epidemic.

Grounding in Communication Ethics:
The research project is grounded in communication ethics, which emphasizes the importance of ethical communication practices in research and community engagement. Communication ethics promotes respect, empathy, and transparency in interactions between researchers and participants, ensuring that the rights and well-being of individuals are protected.

Appreciative Inquiry:
Appreciative inquiry is another framework that informs the research project. Appreciative inquiry is a strengths-based approach that focuses on identifying and leveraging the positive aspects of a community or organization. By adopting an appreciative inquiry perspective, the research project aims to build on the strengths and resources of the community to develop effective responses to the opioid epidemic.

Action Research:
Action research is a methodology employed in the research project to facilitate community-driven change. Action research involves researchers and community members working together to identify problems, develop solutions, and implement interventions. This approach ensures that the research findings are relevant to the community's needs and that the solutions are sustainable and scalable.

The Opioid Epidemic as a Social Disease:
The book contends that the opioid epidemic in the United States is as much a social disease as it is a pharmaceutical one. The crisis arises from a lack of social connection and the "communal literacy" that Americans need to deal with the challenges they face together. The author argues that the epidemic can be addressed by rebuilding social connections and promoting communal literacy.

Rediscovering Social Connection:
To rebuild social connection, the author proposes and tests an approach called Participatory Community Inquiry (PCI). PCI is a community-driven approach that helps groups acknowledge the social goods that unite them, design practices that protect and promote those goods, and undertake actions that can support their common lives. By engaging in participatory community inquiry, groups can develop a shared understanding of the challenges they face and work together to find solutions.

Protecting and Promoting Social Goods:
Once social goods are identified, the author proposes and tests an approach called Participatory Community Inquiry (PCI). PCI is a community-driven approach that helps groups acknowledge the social goods that unite them, design practices that protect and promote those goods, and undertake actions that can support their common lives. By engaging in participatory community inquiry, groups can develop a shared understanding of the challenges they face and work together to find solutions.

Undertaking Actions to Support Common Lives:
Once social goods are identified, the author proposes and tests an approach called Participatory Community Inquiry (PCI). PCI is a community-driven approach that helps groups acknowledge the social goods that unite them, design practices that protect and promote those goods, and undertake actions that can support their common lives. By engaging in participatory community inquiry, groups can develop a shared understanding of the challenges they face and work together to find solutions.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book explores a research project focused on finding a community-level response to the opioid epidemic. Grounded in communication ethics, appreciative inquiry, and action research, the book contends that the opioid crisis in the United States is not solely a pharmaceutical issue but also a social disease rooted in a lack of social connection and the "communal literacy" required for individuals to navigate the challenges they face together. By proposing and testing an approach called Participatory Community Inquiry (PCI), the author aims to help communities rediscover their social connection and rebuild vibrant, sustainable communities. This book will be a key resource for researchers, practitioners, and students in communication studies, sociology, and action research interested in social ethics and community development and organizing.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032153315