Reducing COVID-19 opioid deaths (original) (raw)

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the ongoing opioid overdose crisis, disproportionately impacting individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Increasing overdose deaths during the pandemic have highlighted the need for optimized care strategies for these vulnerable populations. This commentary discusses the intersection of the drug overdose epidemic with COVID-19 and proposes measures such as ensuring access to buprenorphine treatment and naloxone, enhancing harm reduction efforts, and providing adequate support for high-risk patients.