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During the pandemic more than 1 and 10 Americans reported increase use of alcohol or drugs to cope with the pandemic. There was 93,000 drug related overdose which was 30% increase from 2019. Increases came at time when many people were facing increased mental stress , job loss, and death due to Covid-19. These effects reached the minority communities the heaviest.

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Drug overdoses increased over all racial and ethnic groups. Increases were larger for: American Indian and Alaskan native, Black, and Hispanics compared to their white counterparts. Recent trends have also shown that these overdoses are affecting black communities disproportionately. Death among blacks rose from 11% to 17%. Among Hispanics it rose from 8% to 12%. In addition to this fentanyl related deaths , which account for many drug overdoses during the pandemic is also disproportionately affecting black communities as well. These increases came at a time when people of color faced many negative effects due to the pandemic. Although drug overdose related deaths among White Americans remains the highest at 69%.

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Substance Crisis Worsening After Pandemic 

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Substance Crisis Worsening After Pandemic 

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During 2020 a survey was conducted with larger shares of Hispanic (28%) and Blacks(19%) who reported an increase in substance abuse since the pandemic started. Mean while White adults(13%) reported a decrease in usage. In addition to this, those who already used drugs started a new type drug if their usual drug was difficult to obtain. This partly explains the recent uptick in fentanyl usage. The effects of economic stress , loneliness, and anxiety about the virus are major drivers for the increase.

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In 2019 over 20 million Americans over the age of 12 reported a past year substance abuse disorder(SUD). But out of that 20 million only 10% of these individuals actually received care. In addition to this 24% did not know where to receive treatment. 21% reported not having insurance  and being unable to afford the costs. Data in 2018 shows that those who started treatment, the completion rate was less than half. Issues of low utilization and access to care where the highest among people of color. During the pandemic there was reports that some states were decreasing funding to rehab centers. Other clinics limited their patient capacity or struggled with patient retention. Other clinics have closed down completely.

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The American Rescue Act allocated about $4 billion for mental health and substance abuse. The Act also granted $1.5 million in block grants for substance abuse prevention. And $30 million in drug overdose prevention and harm reduction programs. Several bills have been introduced such as LifeBOAT Act and the STOP fentanyl Act to reduce substance abuse. LifeBOAT would attach a fee to opioid pain medications to be used towards substance treatments. STOP fentanyl would increase public health surveillance and education of fentanyl. Restrictions around substance abuse care have also been lifted. For example, clinicians are able to see patients via telehealth. Additional steps have been taken to increase enrollment and expand coverage to healthcare access.

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Nirmita Panchal, Rachel Garfield, Cynthia Cox, Samantha Artiga. August 12 2021. Substance Use Issues Are Worsening Alongside Access to Care.

Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/substance-use-issues-are-worsening-alongside-access-to-care/

Ashley Abromson. March, 1 2021. Substance Abuse During the
Pandemic. American Psychology Association.
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/03/substance-use-pandemic#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Centers%20for,the%20onset%20of%20the%20pandemic.