Topics discussed:

• Experiencing Covid 19 and the lockdown - psychological effects of the pandemic.
• Psychological support services available.
• Delivery of support services available - how and who.
• What and how we can do better.

Thanks to:

Dr Miriam Cue from Phillipines

Dr Riza Sarasvita from Indonesia

Dr Danai Indrakamhaeng from Thailand

Cindy Biding from Malaysia

Dato' Zainuddin Bahari from Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions associated with it have changed people’s lives in almost all countries. However, very few realize how the lives of people with drug use disorders – who are among the most vulnerable and in need of ongoing care – have changed. On the one hand, the closure of borders during quarantine has led to a dramatic reduction in access to narcotic drugs. On the other hand, loss of income has become a problem for people with many forms of dependence accompanied by various diseases. Exposure to COVID-19 can also lead to complications due to their weak immunity.

We...

Learn about both the challenges and opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use, opioid overdose, and treatment.

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia and UNODC PTRS in collaboration with the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre on Mental Health of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan held national webinar on 25 September   2020. The purpose of the webinar was to create a forum for national experts to share valuable international experience on how to ensure the continuity and sustainability of drug dependence treatment, HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services for people who use drugs and how to implement evidence-based policies that ensure access to effective drug...

CCSA is the go-to place in Canada for trusted information on COVID-19 and substance use.

In response to threat posed by COVID- 19, they have put together a collection of resources from websites and organizations from around the world.

Their subject-matter experts have gathered this material from sources they believe are trustworthy and credible. They have reviewed it against a set of criteria that includes alignment with evidence.

To make it easy for you to navigate through this information, they have divided it into four major categories:

• Audiences
• Specific Topics
• Types of Resources
...

Persistent use of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, opioids and stimulants increase risk of substance use disorders (SUDs).  SUDs are increasingly viewed as biopsychosocial disorders with multiple risk factors interacting at individual and contextual levels with multiple health consequences. People who use alcohol and other drugs chronically frequently have co-morbid health conditions (e.g.,chronic and acute medical conditions, and psychiatric disorders) and environmental challenges (e.g., housing instability, unemployment, criminal justice involvement).

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought major challenges to healthcare systems and public health policies globally, as it requires novel treatment and prevention strategies to adapt for the impact of the pandemic. Individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are at risk population for contamination due to multiple factors—attributable to their clinical, psychological and psychosocial conditions.

Moreover, social and economic changes caused by the pandemic, along with the traditional difficulties regarding treatment access and adherence—will certainly worsen during this period, therefore...

How much are people drinking while staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic? Are Canadians drinking more alcohol than usual and, if so, are they doing it more often? This webinar explored alcohol use during the pandemic, drawing on the results of a survey and polls commissioned by CCSA in spring 2020. The presentation highlighted resources to assist in reducing risks related to alcohol use during COVID-19.

Speakers:

Dr Catherine Paradis, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction

Dr Bryce Barker, Knowledge Broker, Canadian Centre on Substance...