A Dangerous Cocktail: The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Youth Opioid Crisis in North America: A Response to Vigo et al. (2020)

摘要

Physical distancing measures are a crucial public health strategy in global efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19 disease) pandemic. While vital to save lives and slow the spread of the virus, these measures may have significant yet unintended consequences on population mental health. In their editorial, Vigo et al.1 aptly observe: “the COVID-19 epidemic adds fire to the simmering opioid epidemic and overdose crisis” in Canada, which has been characterized by high rates of morbidity and mortality due to nonmedical prescription opioid use and illicit opioid use.2 Physical distancing measures are already negatively impacting opioid users, from limiting access to safe supply, supervised injecting sites and outpatient treatments to increasing risks for those that relapse and overdose.1