Across the country, stores are reopening, people are getting back to work by the millions, and the United States is entering the Great American Comeback as we begin to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. For Americans suffering from substance use disorder and those in recovery, a return to the way things were before the pandemic presents a risk of falling back into harmful behaviors. With reports of increased overdoses in the news, on this International Overdose Awareness Day the Trump Administration is proud to empower first responders with tools to continue saving lives.
Studies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic showed a staggeringly high 85% rate of relapse among those within their first year of recovery, with an equally jarring two-thirds of individuals relapsing only weeks or months following treatment. As Americans look ahead to the possibility of getting back to the routines of daily life, it is reasonable to believe those in recovery who may have largely been at home due to COVID-19-related restrictions once again are likely to experience the same feelings, people, places, and things that trigger their previous association with drug use. The potential of America reopening presents hope for those suffering from substance use disorder to connect once again — in person — at recovery support groups nationwide; reopening also offers the unhappy prospect of renewed associations with people and places where the likelihood of obtaining illicit drugs is increased, and with that comes an increased risk of overdose.
This global pandemic has affected every aspect of our society, and the production and trafficking of illicit drugs has been no different. The difficulties traffickers have faced in bringing their illegal drugs into the country has reduced their availability in some parts of America. However, once widespread commercial activity and travel resume, drug trafficking organizations will have more opportunities to bring their products into the country. With more Americans returning to work for real paydays, a perfect storm is brewing.
Families and friends of those with opioid use disorder or in recovery should be vigilant about their loved ones succumbing to stress-driven use or relapse and have the opioid overdose antidote naloxone on hand, just in case. Research has indicated that individuals given this life-saving drug have a mean 96% survival rate when it is administered in the throes of overdose.
With COVID-19 still very much on people’s minds, some first responders and members of law enforcement are understandably wary of administering naloxone to individuals experiencing overdose who may potentially have the disease. First responders should take comfort in the fact that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found it safe to administer either subcutaneous or nasal naloxone while wearing their issued Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Naloxone can restore a person’s breathing in minutes, and it has saved thousands of lives. Our first responders can continue that downward trend by administering naloxone when they are the first to the scene. All people, whether they have COVID-19, an addiction, or both, deserve this standard of care.
We are pleased to have developed an infographic for first responders showing them how to administer naloxone as safely as possible. We encourage police, fire, emergency response and ambulatory leadership everywhere to circulate this document and post it where it will be visible by their first responders. To access the infographic please visit this link.
Thanks to naloxone, the power to save lives from overdose is literally in the hands of first responders, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and the friends and families of known opioid users. We should all be prepared to help — on International Overdose Awareness Day, and every day.
Jim Carroll is the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Visit whitehouse.gov/ondcp and hhs.gov/opioids for more information. First responders can access the new CDC COVID-19 naloxone infographic here.
