Nation must reverse tragic overdose trend
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact in so many ways, and not just in terms of people suffering severe illness directly attributable to the coronavirus.
The pandemic had a devastasting impact but not just for those who died from COVID-19.
Many of the problems are interrelated. These include the economic toll posed by the virus, limits on social interactions and other issues that contribute to a severe strain on mental health.
Add these factors to an already serious problem with drug addiction — particularly involving dangerous opioids — and it’s a recipe for even more tragedy.
Recently issued government statistics bear that out here in Pennsylvania and all over the country.
Nationally, overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 in 2020. That estimate far eclipses the total of 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase.
The state Health Department reported that accidental and undetermined overdose deaths in Pennsylvania climbed from 4,458 in 2019 to 5,063 in 2020, an increase of nearly 14%. All but one month in 2020 had more drug overdose deaths compared to the corresponding month in 2019. And these numbers could turn out to be even higher.
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported that the increase in overdose deaths is particularly stark among the state’s Black population. The rate of overdose deaths among Black residents increased by 63% in 2020 compared to 2018 — the largest increase of any racial group. The sharpest part of the increase occurred from 2019 to 2020.
Ashley Bolton, the director of the Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention, said the COVID-19 pandemic “posed unique challenges and stressors” for people with substanceuse-disorder and can help explain this large increase.
Addiction experts say that a lack of access to the lifesaving drug Nalaxone and fear of visiting hospital emergency rooms also were factors in overdose deaths during the height of the pandemic. There have been improvements in those areas in recent months.
State officials also note that the Pennsylvania Coordinated Medication-Assisted Treatment
program has been increasing its services, with more than 8,000 people receiving treatment.
But a recent report out of Berks County offers reason for further concern. The coroner’s office says Berks appears to be on track this year to top 2020’s record-breaking total Last year in Berks there were 130 confirmed fatal overdoses. As of Aug. 2 there had already been 52 confirmed overdose deaths this year and 39 more are pending, bringing the suspected total to 91. Berks appears to be at a pace of about 13 overdose deaths a month, above last year’s average of about 11 a month.
Both the statewide and Berks totals include overdoses from all drugs, including illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs, but not alcohol overdoses. The vast majority of the overdose deaths involve opioids. Officials say fentanyl use is the biggest problem.
What can be done? Education efforts need to continue, and more must be done to help people get access to effective treatment. That means state agencies working hand in hand with local health authorities to get resources where they are needed. And law enforcement must keep working on its uphill climb of trying to get these drugs off the streets.
One promising development is a proposed $26 billion settlement between pharmaceutical companies and states resulting from litigation over the toll opioids have taken. It is crucial that this money go toward mitigating the impact of these drugs, and that it supplement existing expenditures rather than replace money now coming from other government sources.
Remember that much of the money from the $200 billionplus 1998 settlement with tobacco companies went toward expenditures having nothing to do with addressing the public health threat posed by smoking.
The scourge of drug-related deaths has gone on for far too long. Our leaders and the rest of us must commit to finally reversing this tragic trend.