The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) and the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (CCENDU) released their latest alert, Changes Related to COVID-19 in the Illegal Drug Supply and Access to Services, and Resulting Health Harms .
This CCENDU alert was developed in response to indications that COVID-19-related disruption to an already-unpredictable market could pose significant health risks to people who use drugs. The alert provides preliminary insights into the impact of COVID-19 on the illegal drug supply in Canada, and associated affects on health risks and the provision of harm reduction services. They compiled data from multiple sources across Canada between March 31 and May 10, 2020.
Key Findings
- Business closures, border closures, physical distancing measures and other social changes are disrupting both the international drug trade and local drug supplies.
- These disruptions are leading to a decrease or change in the availability of drugs, increased prices and increased adulteration.
- There is a decrease in the availability and capacity of direct services, including harm reduction, treatment and other services (e.g., housing).
- As a result, we expect to see increases in unsupported withdrawal and accidental drug poisonings.
- Possible response options include providing access to a safer drug supply, investment in harm reduction services, and development or expansion of virtual care programs.
CCENDU will continue to work with partners to synthesize data and disseminate information on changes to the illegal drug supply in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
