Nationally, there has been a rise in drug overdose deaths in 2020, something that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is contributing to the coronavirus pandemic. Oregon is no different.
Oregon has had 580 deaths from drug overdoses, and the United States as a whole has had over 81,000 drug overdose deaths during a one-year period ending in May 2020. A CDC report from Dec. 17 says that was the highest number of overdose deaths recorded in a 12-month period.
In the report, CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. said, “The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard.”
“Food insecurity and disruptions in access to safe housing and mental health services have compounded stress from job losses, school and social isolation, and other problems brought on by the pandemic,” said Tom Jeanne, MD, MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist, Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, in a bulletin from OHA and the Department of Human Services. “The COVID crisis also interrupted ways people with substance use disorder can get help, such as mental health services, 12-step programs and ambulatory visits.”
At least 339 people died of a drug overdose in Oregon from January to June. That is 40% higher than the amount last year during the same period and shows a 35 % increase from the former six-month period from July to December in 2019.
Reflecting OHA’s previous reports, there was a spike in overdose related deaths in the second quarter of this year, which rose 63% compared to the second quarter of 2019. Increasing in April and then reaching a peak in May, overdose deaths returned close to monthly averages for June and July.
Most overdose deaths in Oregon have involved opioids, but illicit fentanyl and methamphetamines have been contributing as well, reflecting a national trend. They also have appeared to drive the overdose death in the second quarter of 2020, with involvement of methamphetamine/amphetamine increasing 37% from the quarter before.
Data from recent months has not been updated, yet so far shows concerning increases in suspected drug overdose deaths in November.
OHA is with the CDC in reducing drug overdose deaths. 9,200 methadone patients in Oregon are receiving methadone through the state’s treatments providers, the Peer Recovery Initiated in Medical Establishments program to help provide peer support for people using drugs in medical settings is expanding, the state recently made a COVID-19 Harm Reduction Supply Clearinghouse to support agencies serving people at risk of overdosing, and OHA is working with the Oregon/Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area to implement a real-time suspected drug overdose system that would increase responders.
OHA has a list of resources for those wondering about resources for opioid use disorder, and state law allows Oregonians to carry and use naloxone – a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Lean more here.
For a nonjudgmental contact for those alone and struggling with substance abuse, call the Never Use Alone Hotline at 800-484-3731.
OHA and Oregon-based non-profit Lines for Life recently launched a helpline to provide support for any person who needs it. To reach out, call 800-923-4357.
By: Hannah Ramsey
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