Report links pandemic, increase in overdoses
Barriers to treatment combined with isolation
A new report points to the crippling stress and isolation suffered by many during the coronavirus pandemic as possible reasons behind the large increase in drug overdoses and deaths since the start of the pandemic in Wisconsin.
A Wisconsin Department of Health Services report found that there was a 47% increase in suspected opioid overdoses during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, according to ambulance run data.
Milwaukee and Waukesha counties both saw record numbers of drug overdose deaths in 2020.
In 2020, 463 people died of opioid overdoses in Milwaukee County, substantially outpacing the previous high of 418 overdose deaths in 2019, according to numbers obtained from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Officer. So far in 2021, 254 drug overdose deaths have been recorded in Milwaukee County.
Waukesha County also saw record numbers of drug overdoses in 2020 with 83 overdose deaths recorded there.
DHS Director of Opioid Initiatives Paul Krupski said opioid overdoses are often caused by “complex societal issues.”
“Some of the reasons for the increases during the COVID-19 pandemic may include anxiety and stress due to social isolation, economic instability, social unrest, drastic changes in people’s daily lives, and the production of stronger, more lethal drugs laced with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, as well as systemic barriers such as decreased access to naloxone, treatment services, and recovery supports,” Krupski said.
Overdose deaths from opioids in Wisconsin actually decreased by 10% from 2017 to 2018, to 839 deaths. But that number increased to 916 deaths in 2019.
That number is expected to be over 1,200 for 2020 when data is finalized later this year, according to the DHS.
Krupski called the increase in overdose deaths and overall overdoses “disheartening.”
“It was a bit disheartening, but at the same time this is hopefully a oncein-a-lifetime pandemic, and there was a lot of good work that was done along the way to ensure that people had access to treatment and other services needed to support them,” Krupski said.
“But it’s very apparent that there’s more to do.”
The report, Opioid Overdose Incidents and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Wisconsin, points to stress leading to drug use as a coping mechanism or isolation leading to the risk of overdosing alone as causes for more overdoses and overdose deaths during the coronavirus pandemic.
The DHS opioid data team analyzed ambulance runs and emergency room visits from January 2019 through March 2021.
The report found that ambulance run data showed a 47% increase in overdose incidents from March 2020 — when the coronavirus pandemic struck Wisconsin — through August 2020.
The data collected shows that the coronavirus pandemic did have an influence on suspected opioid overdose incidents. “There could be a number of factors playing into this, like the stress from the pandemic, the stay-athome order in Wisconsin, increased access to drugs, and/or social isolation leading to more dangerous drug behaviors,” the report said.
The report also said there doesn’t appear to be a connection to positive COVID-19 cases and the number of opioid overdose incidents. This suggests overdoses were not connected to having or being exposed to the virus, the report said.
There was also a decrease in ambulance runs and emergency department visits overall at the start of the pandemic, “possibly due to people avoiding medical services during the pandemic; less travel or different behavior while staying at home to avoid the virus; or changes in medical practices, such as telehealth,” according to a summary of the report.
What’s being done
DHS announced it’s receiving $10.4 million over five years to mitigate the opioid epidemic in Wisconsin.
Those funds were received from the McKinsey & Co. settlement earlier in 2021. McKinsey & Co. is “a global consulting firm that for years fueled the opioid epidemic nationwide through its work with the manufacturers of opioid drugs,” according to a news release from DHS.
DHS will use the funds for a number of programs related to the opioid epidemic, including prevention programs for Black and Native American communities, mobile harm-reduction teams, coverage of room and board costs for residential treatment settings and short-term and long-term housing for people in recovery.
Do you need help?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-daya-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. Call 800662-HELP (4357).