This webinar was recorded live on the 27th of May 2020. You can watch the recording here:
Speakers:
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Norma Harnedy, National Liaison Pharmacy, HSE Addiction Services
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Dr Eamon Keenan, National Clinical Lead, HSE Addiction Services
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Joined by: Dr. Catriona Bradley, IIOP
Summary:
In this webinar, Norma Harnedy and Dr Eamon Keenan explores the various ways in which the pandemic has affected individuals who use drugs. The webinar discusses the challenges faced by addiction services, needle exchange programs, and pharmacy services, highlighting the difficulties of keeping people in isolation and accessing clean injecting equipment. It also explores the collaboration between different services and the positive response from homeless agencies. The webinar emphasises the importance of community pharmacies in providing addiction services and the increased initiation of buprenorphine treatment during the pandemic. It addresses the administration of naloxone, the impact on emergency rooms, legal changes in controlled drug dispensing, and the global illicit drug market. The webinar provides insights into the challenges and surprises of COVID-19's impact on people who use drugs and the efforts made to support and provide care for this vulnerable population.
It highlights the disappearance of the weekend cocaine market due to pub closures, resulting in more cocaine being available on the streets. Drug seizures have increased during the lockdown period, and there is concern about drug parties and the risk of overdose as the lockdown is lifted. The economic downturn may also lead to increased heroin use. Despite these challenges, drug dealing is still happening, with authorities seizing large amounts of cocaine and drug dealers adapting to the COVID-19 situation. The webinar emphasises the importance of harm reduction and highlights the efforts of addiction services and community pharmacy workers in supporting this vulnerable group.