Opioid Use During the Pandemic

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Wednesday, 26 August 2020 12:53

Opioid use was a major concern in Oxford County before the pandemic and things have only gotten worse over the past couple of months. A number of organizations in the region and ready and willing to help you on the path to recovery.

OXFORD COUNTY - Opioid use was a major concern in Canada and Oxford County before the pandemic and things have only gotten worse over the past couple of months.

Health Promoter Josh Veilleux says Southwestern Public Health says they have anecdotal evidence to back this up.

"We have had anecdotal information about an increase in opioid use and a different mix of substances in this current supply but we do not yet have official data to support that. In the meantime we do ask people who use substances to please follow the harm reduction measures they have learned to keep themselves safe, which includes things like washing your hands, preparing your own drugs, starting with smaller amounts and going slow and also having Naloxone present."

Veilleux says they do not have a timeline for when the data will be available, however a number of people are working behind the scenes to help people suffering from addictions.

"I think for COVID, one thing we do have to understand is that a lot of organizations have kind of remodelled how they are actually delivering services to these diverse populations to better equip and to better suit the COVID-19 measures we have in place. If you look at Oxford Community Health Centre, they have the RAAM, so the Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine, they are also offering a new mobile outreach bus, which is something I am looking forward to, because it is looking to make an immediate impact for those vulnerable at risk individuals."

Veilleux says we have to take into a multitude of factors that we have to take into consideration when we are looking at what could increase the possibility of an opioid overdose.

"So those things can include something like using an opioid with other drugs, using drugs after not using for awhile, a new supply of drugs that may be laced with other drugs, or not what the other person was expecting. So each of these factors contribute to the risk factor for an opioid overdose and each of these factors can be influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the stress associated with that pandemic."

He offers this advice to anyone struggling with opioid addiction or if you have a loved one struggling with an addiction.

"Having a loved one go down that path can be difficult for both family and friends. If this is the case, I recommend when that person feels they are ready and able to maintain recovery that they connect with one of the community services in the area. That includes things like the local community health centre, Addictions Services of Thames Valley or even the CMHA. If it is for that family or friend and you are noticing symptoms of anxiety that could be associated with COVID-19 or otherwise that are causing you significant distress or interfering with your ability to function normally, then I definitely recommend reaching out for formal mental health supports from a recognized agency like CMHA."

You can find contact information for all of the local agencies offering supports below: