Abstract
COVID-19 has significantly exacerbated negative health and social outcomes for people who use drugs (PWUD) around the world. The closure of harm reduction services, ongoing barriers to employment and housing, and pre-existing physical and mental health conditions have increased harms for diverse communities of PWUD. Adapting current models of health and human service delivery to better meet the needs of PWUD is essential in minimizing not only COVID-19 but also drug-related morbidity and mortality. This article draws on research, practice, and advocacy experiences, and discusses the potential for digital health tools such as remote monitoring and telecare to improve the continuum of care for PWUD. We call for a digital health strategy for PWUD and provide recommendations for future program development and implementation.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a spike in substance use, relapse, and overdoses which has served to worsen the overdose epidemic across North America.[4]
Lessons gathered from the first wave of COVID-19 demonstrate a need for the adaptation of current service delivery measures to
How do we develop a sustainable digital health strategy for people who use drugs?
Summary
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated a digital health care revolution (e.g., increased use of telecare, telehealth, telemedicine, virtual care, technology-enabled care, technology-driven interventions) due to related public health physical distancing requirements to reduce transmission.[1,2] Many logistical barriers to the scale-up of digital care that previously seemed insurmountable have been overcome in the context of this global emergency.[2,3] The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a spike in substance use, relapse, and overdoses which has served to worsen the overdose epidemic across North America.[4].
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