Commentary on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid use disorder treatment among Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada

This commentary focuses on how some Indigenous communities in the United States (U.S.) and Canada are addressing the opioid epidemic within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspective of the co-authors as researchers, clinicians, and pharmacists working within or among Indigenous communities in three eastern Canadian provinces and two western U.S. states. The pandemic has likely exacerbated opioid use problems among Indigenous communities, especially for individuals with acute distress or comorbid mental illness, or who are in need of withdrawal management or residential services.

Source: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment - October 8, 2020 Category: Addiction Authors: Dennis C. Wendt, St éphanie Marsan, Daniel Parker, Karen E. Lizzy, Jessica Roper, Christopher Mushquash, Kamilla L. Venner, Alice Lam, Jennifer Swansburg, Nancy Worth, Nicholas Sorlagas, Tania Quach, Kristapore Manoukian, Payton Bernett, Sandra M. Radin Source Type: research