As overdose deaths up due to the pandemic, Boston doctors to host awareness day to help

Sep. 18—Just as Massachusetts started to make improvements with the opioid epidemic, coronavirus began to spread and the pandemic exacerbated all the issues that tend to lead vulnerable people to drugs — leading Boston doctors to ramp up work to help patients before it's too late.

Dr. Scott Weiner, director of the Brigham and Women's Hospital Comprehensive Opioid Response and Education Program said he used to see at least one overdose patient in the emergency room per shift, but now it's rare — but not necessarily for positive reasons.

"The overdoses are happening so quickly because it's so potent that we are losing people before we can even get to them," Weiner told the Herald about the opioids on the street these days.

That's been happening for a couple years due to powerful synthetic drugs. Weiner said right before the pandemic hit, Massachusetts started to see a decline in overdose deaths, but that's no longer the case.

"The overdose epidemic has not gone away — if anything, it's gotten worse," Weiner said.

The state Department of Public Health reported 1,089 confirmed and estimated opioid deaths in the first six months of this year. In 2020, there were 2,104 deaths, an increase of 5% from 2019.

Nationwide trends are concerning, too. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data has shown that drug overdoses rose by almost 30% in 2020, hitting 93,000 deaths, the highest number ever recorded. About 75% of these drug overdose deaths were associated with opioids.

Weiner said pandemic-related stressors such as unemployment, isolation and housing insecurity can have significant impacts on those struggling with addiction, and can even lead people to drugs who may not have tried them before.

That's why he and his colleagues at McLean Hospital created National Opioid and Substance Awareness Day, which will kick off Tuesday afternoon with a free virtual town hall event. Participants can hear from experts, complete screenings and get a referral to a local treatment program.

Dr. Roger Weiss, chief of the division of alcohol, drugs, and addiction at McLean Hospital said, "The statistics about opioid use disorder across the country continue to be alarming and the isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly not helped."

Weiss added, "We know that people and families are struggling with opioid and other addictions, but we also know that there are highly effective treatments for addiction disorders, and we're here to help."

Weiner said they started the initiative last year and it was a great success in fighting stigma and helping those who are struggling.

Lowering barriers to get people into treatment right away is key, said Weiner, which could include access to recovery coaches, social workers and methadone clinics.

"We just want to give them a big hug with all the resources and tools they need," Weiner said.

Addiction is still "shrouded in secrecy and shame," according to Weiner, so hosting the awareness day will help to tear down some of the stigma associated with substance abuse.

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