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The Double Effect of COVID-19 Confinement Measures and Economic Recession on High-Risk Drug Users and Drug Services

Costa Storti, Claudia, Bretteville Jensen, Anne Line, De Grauwec, Paul, Moller, Kim, Mountenay, Jane, Stevens, Alex (2021) The Double Effect of COVID-19 Confinement Measures and Economic Recession on High-Risk Drug Users and Drug Services. European Addiction Research, 27 . pp. 239-241. ISSN 1022-6877. (doi:10.1159/000513883) (KAR id:87061)

Abstract

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have a profound impact on the lives of high-risk drug users and on the services responding to their needs in at least 2 important ways: first, through the restrictive measures introduced to mitigate the spread of the virus and, second, as a result of extensive economic downturn. Currently there is great uncertainty as to the future intensity and duration of the pandemic. In addition, the lessons we have been able to learn from previous economic downturns may be of limited applicability to the current situation, which differs in a number of significant respects. Experience nevertheless suggests that the potential consequences for drug users’ health and wellbeing may be severe. The ongoing uncertainty serves to underline the importance of close monitoring of the drug situation and preparing flexible and innovative solutions to be able to meet new challenges which may arise.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1159/000513883
Uncontrolled keywords: COVID-19 · Economic recession · High-risk drug use · Substance abuse · Opioids
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
K Law > K Law (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: Alex Stevens
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2021 11:50 UTC
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2022 12:28 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/87061 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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