Pathways between COVID-19 public health responses and increasing overdose risks: A rapid review and conceptual framework

Nguyen, Tribesty; Buxton, Jane A.

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103236

Cited by 52 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Social isolation increases the likelihood of using opioids alone and reduces ability to safely access drugs, leading to increased periods of abstinence, or to increased stockpiling behaviour to prevent periods of abstinence. 4,16 Although physical distancing may reduce the likelihood of bystander intervention to respond to fatal overdoses, there was no difference in the percentage of opioid-related deaths in Ontario that occurred when no one was present to intervene during the pandemic (72.6%) versus pre-pandemic (73.1%). 5…”

Section: Physical Distancing and Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Opioid-Related Harm in Ontario io) 10 and, people in BIPOC communities (based on international data) 13,14 People experiencing incarceration or who have been recently released from prison 4,5,12 These priority groups require specific attention when considering public health measures aimed at addressing increased rates of opioid-related harm during COVID-19; however, this is not an exhaustive list. 4,12 It is vital to consider the intersection between these and other SDOH, such as stigma surrounding drug use and other structural barriers to receiving adequate healthcare, when evaluating and addressing the sociodemographic disparities in opioid-related harm that have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. 12,15…”

Section: Ontario Covid-19 Science Advisory Tablementioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is also important to note that changes in federal and provincial prisons during COVID-19, such as temporary or early release of select individuals to reduce overcrowding, have disrupted OAT continuity for many people who were released from prison and were receiving OAT in the corrections system. 4,5 This population is already at an elevated risk of opioid overdose; therefore, facilitating OAT continuity among people who have recently been incarcerated should be prioritized.…”

Section: Ensure Opioid Agonist Therapy (Oat) Access Options and Continuitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,3 The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the opioid overdose crisis and complicated the ongoing public health response by reducing social supports for PWUD, intensifying mental health challenges, and limiting access to addiction treatment and harm reduction services, including supervised consumption services, due to physical distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 4 Combined with the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the health of Canadians, this has created a dual public health crisis and strategies to mitigate the increasing rates of opioid-related harm during the COVID-19 pandemic are urgently required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Opioid-Related Harm in Ontario

Friesen¹,

Kurdyak²,

Gomes³

et al. 2021

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The Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table is a group of scientific experts and health system leaders who evaluate and report on emerging evidence relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic, to inform Ontario's response. Our mandate is to provide weekly summaries of relevant scientific evidence for the COVID-19 Health Coordination Table of the Province of Ontario, integrating information from existing scientific tables, Ontario's universities and agencies, and the best global evidence. The Science Table summarizes its findings for the Health Coordination Table and the public in Science Briefs.The Mental Health Working Group comprises scientific experts and public health leaders with specific expertise in mental health. Their expertise spans mental health of children and youth, adults and geriatric populations, mental health of health care providers, women's health, mental health among LGBTQ persons, mental health among Black, Indigenous, and other racialized populations, and COVID-19. The Working Group evaluates emerging scientific evidence related to maintaining mental health during COVID-19, the mental health burden of disease and public health interventions on individuals across the lifespan, including children and adolescents, and the older adult population, as well as the need for assessment and recommendations

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Section: Physical Distancing and Isolationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ontario Covid-19 Science Advisory Tablementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ensure Opioid Agonist Therapy (Oat) Access Options and Continuitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Opioid-Related Harm in Ontario

Friesen¹,

Kurdyak²,

Gomes³

et al. 2021

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“…Various investigators have noted that the increased interest in kratom seemed to coincide with several aspects of the evolving opioid crisis in the United States (Boyer et al, 2008;Prozialeck et al, 2012;Prozialeck, 2016;Bestha, 2018;Coe et al, 2019;Prozialeck et al, 2019) and that recent restrictions on access to prescription opioids for pain management may have further increased demand for kratom (Prozialeck, 2016;Prozialeck et al, 2019). With the emergence of COVID-19 in 2019, and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many patients may have faced even further reductions in access to prescription opioids, which could have contributed to an increase in the use of illicit "street" opioids such as heroin, fentanyl and new fentanyl analogs (Manchikanti et al, 2021;Nguyen and Buxton, 2021). It seems likely that this increase in the use of street opioids and the concomitant problems of opioid dependence may have further increased demand for kratom.…”

Section: Evidence For Increased Interest In Kratommentioning

confidence: 99%

Kratom Use Within the Context of the Evolving Opioid Crisis and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Prozialeck

Lamar

Krupp³

et al. 2021

Front. Pharmacol.

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Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa, Korth.) is an evergreen tree that is indigenous to Southeast Asia. When ingested, kratom leaves or decoctions from the leaves have been reported to produce complex stimulant and opioid-like effects. For generations, native populations in Southeast Asia have used kratom products to stave off fatigue, improve mood, alleviate pain and manage symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Despite the long history of kratom use in Asia, it is only within the past 10–20 years that kratom has emerged as an important herbal agent in the United States, where it is being used for the self-treatment of pain, opioid withdrawal symptoms, and mood disorders. The increase in the use of kratom in the United States has coincided with the serious epidemic of opioid abuse and dependence. Since 2015, efforts to restrict access to prescription opioids have resulted in a marked increase in the use of “street” opioids such as heroin and illicit fentanyl. At the same time, many patients with chronic pain conditions or opioid use disorder have been denied access to appropriate medical help. The lack of access to care for patients with chronic pain and opioid use disorder has been magnified by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this report, we highlight how these converging factors have led to a surge in interest in kratom as a potential harm reduction agent in the treatment of pain and opioid use disorder.

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How to Peer Review Quantitative Studies, Qualitative Studies, and Literature Reviews: Considerations from the ‘Other’ Side

Rodda,

Bijker,

Merkouris

et al. 2024

Curr Addict Rep

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Purpose of review The main research approaches in the field of addiction include qualitative studies, quantitative studies, and literature reviews. Researchers tend to have specific expertise in one, or perhaps two of these approaches, but are frequently asked to peer review studies using approaches and methods in which they are less well versed. This review aims to provide guidance to peer reviewers by summarizing key issues to attend to when reviewing studies of each approach. Recent findings A diverse range of research approaches are utilised in the study of addiction including quantitative, qualitative, and literature reviews. In this paper, we outline reporting standards for each research approach, and summarize how data are collected, analyzed, reported, and interpreted, as a guide for peer-reviewers to assess the robustness of studies. Summary Providing a good peer review requires that careful attention is paid to the specific requirements of the methods used. General principles of clarity around an evidence-based rationale, data collection and analysis, and careful interpretation remain fundamental, regardless of the method used. Reviews should be balanced and fair and based on the research and associated reporting requirements for the method used.

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Pathways between COVID-19 public health responses and increasing overdose risks: A rapid review and conceptual framework

Cited by 52 publications

References 42 publications

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Opioid-Related Harm in Ontario

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Opioid-Related Harm in Ontario

Kratom Use Within the Context of the Evolving Opioid Crisis and the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

How to Peer Review Quantitative Studies, Qualitative Studies, and Literature Reviews: Considerations from the ‘Other’ Side

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