Sadly, due to COVID, public health and those handling treatment programs seen an increase in opioid use and overdoses. During quarantine help was hard to get to and the help was working from home. Slowing public health and treatment programs opened back up but not after hundreds and thousands have died.
I've written before about the elderly and opioid use. When the shut down happened things switched over to a technology based system for meetings, appointments, delivery of healthcare, etc. Many elderly don't have the technology abilities. Not only are the elderly faced with COVID death possibilities but now with medication issues.
As time goes on I think we'll see a spike in drug overdoses not only due to illegal opioids but due to prescribed medications in elderly who are not being managed during the pandemic. Keep an eye on your elderly population and offer help. Reach out with support in anyway possible.
