LESSON LEARNED AFTER THE FIRST WAVE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTHERN MACEDONIA
Date Issued
2020-12-15
Author(s)
Abstract
What we have known so far is that crises do not affect everyone
equally and that they mostly affect the most vulnerable
categories (people who use drugs, certain ethnic communities,
sex workers, etc.). What we learned after the first wave of
the COVID-19 crisis is described in this article.
Online counseling in youth counseling centers for prevention
of psychoactive substance use was not equally applicable in
all settings, such as the Roma community for example. In the
youth counseling centers for prevention of substance use, the
number of visits by young people with “covid induced / triggered
anxiety” has increased, as well as young people who
coping the anxiety with alcohol and others substances. Problematic
use of the Internet has increased.
The flexibility of drug treatment and care programs has reduced
the drop-out rate of people receiving opioid agonist
treatment (OAT). Access to programs and decentralized work
model across the country have also reduced treatment dropouts.
The presence of all staff working with drug users at the
services most of the time, the admissions that were realized
immediately without waiting lists and postponed appointments
and in any circumstances (in quarantines - hotels, hospitals,
etc.) as wall as reduced drop-outs have prevented overdoses
and suicides of opioid users in the country.
The drug problem has not disappeared, it may have changed
but not disappeared. The drugs continued to travel. Online
drugs were available. New drug victims continued to seek
help.
Conclusion:We do not have the “privilege” to waive the provision
of treatment and care, without delay, for all our patients
seeking help no matter where they are, at home, in quarantine
or coming to the services. Flexibility and pragmatism, creativity
and innovation are needed to provide accessible drug treatment
services for all but also the most vulnerable categories
that will be specific and created for them to reduce the consequences
during the KOVID-19 pandemic.
equally and that they mostly affect the most vulnerable
categories (people who use drugs, certain ethnic communities,
sex workers, etc.). What we learned after the first wave of
the COVID-19 crisis is described in this article.
Online counseling in youth counseling centers for prevention
of psychoactive substance use was not equally applicable in
all settings, such as the Roma community for example. In the
youth counseling centers for prevention of substance use, the
number of visits by young people with “covid induced / triggered
anxiety” has increased, as well as young people who
coping the anxiety with alcohol and others substances. Problematic
use of the Internet has increased.
The flexibility of drug treatment and care programs has reduced
the drop-out rate of people receiving opioid agonist
treatment (OAT). Access to programs and decentralized work
model across the country have also reduced treatment dropouts.
The presence of all staff working with drug users at the
services most of the time, the admissions that were realized
immediately without waiting lists and postponed appointments
and in any circumstances (in quarantines - hotels, hospitals,
etc.) as wall as reduced drop-outs have prevented overdoses
and suicides of opioid users in the country.
The drug problem has not disappeared, it may have changed
but not disappeared. The drugs continued to travel. Online
drugs were available. New drug victims continued to seek
help.
Conclusion:We do not have the “privilege” to waive the provision
of treatment and care, without delay, for all our patients
seeking help no matter where they are, at home, in quarantine
or coming to the services. Flexibility and pragmatism, creativity
and innovation are needed to provide accessible drug treatment
services for all but also the most vulnerable categories
that will be specific and created for them to reduce the consequences
during the KOVID-19 pandemic.
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