Covid Conditions Intensify Opioid Overdose Deaths
Pandemic Exacerbates Scarcity of Substance Abuse Inpatient Treatment Facilities Nationwide
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KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- COVID-19 is fueling an explosion in drug overdose deaths nationally. Drug overdose deaths soared nationally to the highest number ever recorded.
It's been "like pouring gasoline on a fire," says Lane Slaten founder and CEO of CWMN LLC, national developer of behavioral health inpatient facilities.
The CDC says the latest numbers suggest an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic. Nationwide, they rose 26% in the 12 months ending in May. Covid circumstances have more people seeking addiction and mental health help, but treatment centers are in short supply, which is exacerbating opioid overdose deaths. "The problem is there is an enormous shortage of substance abuse inpatient treatment facilities nationwide," said Slaten.