​THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC:
​A NATION IN CRISIS 

Opioid Abuse Spikes During Covid-19 
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit last March, the U.S. was facing another major public health crisis — the opioid epidemic. Statistics show that Opioid overdoses have skyrocketed particularly over the last 2 years. This is largely due to the overprescribing of Oxycontin and Fentanyl. Opioids are like the silent killer because people think taking prescription drugs is not harmful but that’s how the addiction starts.  Alternate treatments are now available. If you or a family member is currently taking Opioids, you can contact the Local 28 MAP Program for more information. 

​Please be aware that while these links below may direct you to sites in which you can connect with providers, it is always best to seek out providers through the Beacon network to ensure coverage by calling Beacon at 855-748-3121. 

Overdose Deaths Accelerated During COVID-19
www.cdc.gov
"Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period, according to recent provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While overdose deaths were already increasing in the months preceding the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.
“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. “As we continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of people suffering from unintended consequences.”
Synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) appear to be the primary driver of the increases in overdose deaths, increasing 38.4 percent from the 12-month period leading up to June 2019 compared with the 12-month period leading up to May 2020. During this time period:

• 37 of the 38 U.S. jurisdictions with available synthetic opioid data reported increases in synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths.
• 18 of these jurisdictions reported increases greater than 50 percent."

Continue reading at www.cdc.gov

Why is This Happening?
NIH.gov
Social isolation
"Some social distancing measures make it much more
difficult for people to maintain their mental health,
especially people who are in recovery, because being
isolated from others can trigger feelings of loneliness, stress, depression, and anxiety." 
Work related stress
"Work related stressors (sources of stress) include: job loss or reduction in hours, loss of income, inability to pay bills, work-family imbalance, and much more." 
Continue reading at NIH.gov
​
MORE ARTICLES & RESOURCES:

• The Spike in Drug Overdose Deaths During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Policy Options to Move Forward
• Issue brief: Drug overdose epidemic worsened during COVID pandemic

Graph from www.commonwealthfund.org

Graphs from www.drugabuse.org

Please always keep in mind that Local 28 MAP’s Counselors and Peers, as well as Beacon MAP, are always available to talk (Contact Info available HERE on the MAP Homepage). 

Please check the portal for all forms
​related to the Funds Office.

UNION FUSION PORTAL