As drug overdoses surge in Washington state amid COVID-19 pandemic

Emerging reports say the effects of the global pandemic likely led to a surge in drug use. The recent spike mirrors national trends. 

It is definitely worrying that Washington state health officials revealed that according to preliminary findings more people died of drug overdoses in 2020 in the state than any year in at least the past decade.

In December, the Centers for Disease Control reported more than 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. in the 12 months ending in May 2020 — the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period. Authorities say the pyschological impact of the pandemic likely led to a surge in drug use as a remedy. The spike is mirrored across the nation.

Fatal drug doses in Washington state were reportedly increased by more than 30% last year compared to 2019.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us,” Bob Lutz, state medical advisor for the COVID-19 response, said in a press release earlier this year. “Those Washingtonians with substance use disorder may have found themselves using more frequently, and unfortunately, the data suggest they are also overdosing more often.”

Reports reveal that in the Washington state, fentanyl has also been found in fake  pills made to look like prescription opioid pills and often have an imprint of “M30” or “A215,” according to the DOH. The dradful drug has also been found in powders and black tar heroin. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) stated that a number of the overdoses were caused by fentanyl, an opioid that known to compete with morphine and be as 100 times more powerful.

For public safety The DOH has sternly recommeded that people must assume any drug not from a pharmacy could have fentanyl in it.

If anyone is suspected to be having an overdose, the DOH urged witnesses to call 911 and other professional emergency services. They also recommended that the person be given naloxone, and in addition deploy rescue breathing if they can. 

Signs of an opioid overdose include the inability to wake up, slowed or no breathing, and blue, gray or ashy skin, lips or fingernails