COVID-19 and the Opioid Epidemic

UsaNewsOnline.Com Desk, New York : As the Coronavirus Disease 2019 – more commonly referred to as COVID-19 – continues to sweep across our country and particularly in our home borough of Queens, we must keep in mind that another epidemic was already on the rise and is still one of the greatest public health threats facing this generation. Opioid addiction has led to an increase in overdoses, and the numbers have not subsided during this pandemic. In just 5 months, Queens County has had a 56 percent increase in overdose deaths compared to 2019.

Opioids are extremely deadly, particularly when illicitly manufactured with fentanyl and fentanyl analogs and derivatives. In 2018, Queens County registered 251 overdose deaths; in 2019, there were 265 overdoses. Of those 265 deaths last year, 155 were from fentanyl or fentanyl analogs and derivatives. For 2020, thus far, we have had 86 suspected overdoses in Queens. Overall, our nation is still in the grips of an overdose epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2018 alone, there were over 67,000 deaths involving opioids in the U.S.

District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “We are living through an extraordinary time. We are fighting battles no one would have expected, but still we push forward with hope and unrelenting resolve to succeed. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has made the opioid epidemic even worst for those fighting for their sobriety.”

Still, though, during this time, there are avenues to help those fighting to stay drug free. The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) updated its outpatient treatment programs to maximize the use of telehealth services with additional guidelines on in-person interactions. In collaboration, both OASAS and the NYC Department of Health have rolled out a methadone delivery program for patients with COVID-19. Press Release.

Below you’ll find a list of treatment programs available to help those in need of assistance.

Queens County Opioid Treatment Resources

Addiction Treatment Centers:                                              Medical Detox

Samaritan Daytop Village                                                          Cornerstone of Medical Arts

88-83 Van Wyck Expressway                                                  159-05 Union Tpke

Jamaica, New York 11435                                                       Fresh Meadows, New York 11366

(718) 657-6195                                                                       1-800-233-9999

Elmcor Youth & Adult Service, Inc.                                          Flushing Hospital

107-20 Northern Blvd                                                              4500 Parsons Blvd

Corona, New York 11368                                                       Queens, New York 11355

(718) 651-0096                                                                       (718) 670-5000

J-CAP Inc.                                                                               Phoenix House Parkside

10733 Sutphin Blvd.                                                                 3425 Vernon Blvd

Jamaica, New York 11435                                                       Long Island City, New York 11106

(718) 322-2500                                                                       1-844-815-1508

Harm Reduction Services:                                                    New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)

24/7 HOPEline 1877-8HOPENY                  

AIDS Center of Queens County (ACQC)

89-74 162^nd Street                                                                   Medication Addiction Treatment (MAT)

Jamaica, New York 11432                                                       Far Rockaway Treatment Center

(718) 896-2500                                                                       1600 Central Ave.

                                                                                                Far Rockaway, New York 11691

Dept. of Health and Hygiene                                                     (718) 868-1400

Harm Reduction Coalition

(212) 213-6376                                                                       Narco Freedom-Bridge Plaza

                                                                                                18-34^th Street

                                                                                                Long Island City, New York11101

                                                                                                (718) 786-3474