Pandemic Fuels Rise in Drug-Related Deaths

Pandemic Fuels Rise in Drug-Related Deaths
Mikayla Mace
A University of Arizona pharmacologist discusses how the conditions created by the pandemic and the response could be exacerbating drug use and overdose.
Monday
University Communicationssad-505857_1920.jpgHealthCOVID-19Researcher contact:
Todd W. Vanderah
Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center
[e-mail] contact:
Mikayla Mace
University Communications
[e-mail] For the latest on the University of Arizona response to the novel coronavirus, visit the university ' sCOVID-19 webpage.For UANews coverage of COVID-19, visithttps://uanews.arizona.edu/news/covid19In Arizona, there ' s been  a recent uptick in drug overdoses. There were 463 deaths reported in March, and throughout the summer the number of deaths per month has remained higher than most month-to-month totals in 2018 and 2019. Numbers are expected to continue to climb as more medical reports are confirmed.In July, the American Medical Association published a  brief report on increases in opioid overdoses in the United States in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which they urged governors and state legislatures to take action.The pandemic is exacerbating many risk factors associated with increased drug use and overdose, including economic distress, social isolation and anxiety. The pandemic has also made it more difficult and scarier for some individuals to receive treatment for their substance us...

Source: The University of Arizona: Health - August 10, 2020 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: mikaylamace Source Type: research