'Opioid overdoses are skyrocketing': as Covid-19 sweeps across US an old epidemic returns

The Guardian ^ | July 9, 2020 | Chris McGreal

[CheshireTheCat]

...The American Medical Association said it was “greatly concerned” at reported increases in opioid overdoses in more than 30 states although it will be months before hard data is available. Public health officials from Kentucky to Florida, Texas and Colorado have recorded surges in opioid deaths as the economic and social anxieties created by the Covid-19 pandemic prove fertile ground for addiction. In addition, Brumage said significant numbers of people have fallen out of treatment programmes as support networks have been yanked away by social distancing orders.

“I’m a firm adherent to the idea that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection. Clearly, what we have lost with the pandemic is a loss of connection,” he said.

“Many of the people who were using the programme either didn’t have broadband or they didn’t have cellphone service, especially those who were homeless. They just fell out of the programme,” he said.

The resurgence was not unforeseen. In March, as Covid-19 escalated, Donald Trump warned about the human toll beyond lives claimed by the virus. “You’re going to have tremendous suicides, but you know what you’re going to have more than anything else? Drug addiction...

[jmacusa]

The opposite of addiction is not sobriety? Really? This idiot hasn’t a clue as to what they’re talking about. As a recovering alcoholic I can tell you sobriety is not a destination. It’s a journey. One day at a time.

[Tax-chick]

I wonder how people can avoid being infected. Wash your hands often? Wear a mask? Uh ... don’t take drugs?!?

[USAF1985]

One possible solution...seize the opioids and truck them to Portland, Seattle, etc. then let ANTIFA and BLM haveA “party.”

[Vaduz]

Amazing how fast the media hid and spun that fact.

[1Old Pro]

Odd, the media ignores this...