Opioid Overdose Deaths Skyrocket During Pandemic

It is easy to forget that prior to COVID-19, the United States was in the midst of one of the world’s deadliest opioid overdose epidemics—one that swept through the country in three, tsunami-sized waves.

The first wave hit in 1999 when the pharmaceutical industry actively marketed synthetic opioids, including OxyContin, to unwitting physicians who heavily prescribed them to their patients. Adding to the dilemma, pharmaceutical companies made false claims about the safety and efficacy of the drugs. While erroneously advertising opioids as effective and safe, “Big Pharma” failed to tell physicians and patients about the extraordinary risks of accidental addiction and overdose death.

The second wave ran from 2002 through 2012. During that time, aware of the risk related to synthetic opioids, knowledgeable physicians began scaling back dosages and limiting prescription refills. The move caused many patients to flock to the streets for an alternative fix, namely heroin. Cheaper and more widely available, heroin became the drug of choice for managing opioid withdrawal symptoms. Tragically, street heroin users often had no idea they were playing Russian roulette with every dose. In turn, accidental overdose deaths rose a whopping 286%.

The third most disastrous wave started around 2013 with the entre and proliferation of Fentanyl-laced heroin. A highly potent synthetic opioid created to relieve the pain of terminally ill cancer patients, Fentanyl is more than 50 times powerful than heroin and 50-100 times stronger than morphine. Unsuspecting buyers and dealers had no idea their heroin contained deadly Fentanyl—with only a few grains the size of salt needed to be lethal. Death can come within minutes. Tragically, during the resuscitation process, some first responders died from unknowingly absorbing the drug through bodily contact from the user.

From too many of our nation’s cities—small and large—2013 was a nightmare, as drug mill-manufactured, Fentanyl-laced heroin inundated the landscape at every turn. With more than 100 people dying a day, the streets were seemingly littered with bodies. Many coroners throughout the country were even forced to rent storage space to house the dead.

COVID-19 Hastens Opioid Epidemic

COVID-19 has only increased our opioid nightmare. University of British Columbia Dr. Mark Tyndall says that the pandemic has disrupted illicit drug distribution, resulting in an extremely lethal opioid drug supply.

“The risk of you injecting poison is higher than it was before COVID,”  he says.

In 2019, synthetic opioid overdose deaths were 12 times higher than in 2013. From May 2019 through May 2020, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) reported more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. alone. Ten western U.S. states reported a 98% increase in synthetic opioid deaths. In 2020, with opioid supplies weakened, many people turned to methamphetamine and cocaine, only to die from accidental overdose deaths because these drugs were also laced with Fentanyl.

Pandemic Worsens Mental Health & Substance Use Problems

Anxiety, depression, loneliness and trauma related to COVID-19 have become the perfect storm of substance use relapse, overdose and suicide deaths. Among the most vulnerable include people with pre-existing medical problems, the disabled, seniors and single parents. Each of these groups feel particularly isolated and stressed.

For example, domestic violence is on the rise, as survivors are forced to spend too much time at home with their perpetrators, while people recovering from substance abuse struggle to avoid relapse.

On another front, children and teenagers, along with their parents, are having trouble adjusting to virtual learning, as well as being cooped up away from friends and extended family. And the loss of family, friends, neighbors and coworkers to COVID-19 extend the levels of our grief. These seemingly endless number of losses, including our sense of safety, security and way of life, continue to cause profound anguish and sorrow.

In the midst of the overdose epidemic, it is imperative that we learn to recognize the issues and how to intervene. Every minute counts during an overdose. To help keep you informed, the American Red Cross offers an inexpensive, online first aid course at https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/classes/first-aid-for-opioid-overdose….

Hang on to Hope, Encourage Help-Seeking

Spending so much time in isolation helps us reevaluate life priorities and what matters most. More than ever, we are searching for common humanity, meaning and purpose, both individually and collectively. We are connecting to our best selves to become more understanding, empathetic, caring and motivated. We value helping and supporting each other, pushing back on shame and stigma, and stepping courageously forward to pursue virtual mental health and substance use counseling. Each of us are working to stay healthy, so that when this pandemic ends, we will remain intact, healthy and strong. 

If you need help locating mental health, or substance use counseling or support group information, call the BAC Member Assistance Program (MAP) for free, confidential help. Call toll-free: 1-888-880-8222 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST), Monday-Friday, to speak to a licensed mental health professional.

Recognizing and Reacting to an Opioid Overdose

The opioid crisis continues to place everyday people in the center of one of our country’s biggest epidemics. If you witness any of the following symptoms, call 911 immediately:

• They stop breathing or have a slow or no heartbeat
• They appear unconscious, cannot be awakened or talk
• Their face is cold, clammy and unusually pale; their body limp
• They vomit or make gurgling noises

While waiting for first responders to arrive, start CPR. Also, check your state laws about keeping the life-saving nasal spray drug, Naloxone, on hand. Naloxone can help revive someone who has overdosed until help can arrive. It has proven to be a valuable lifesaver in the fight against opioid abuse.