The fatal overdose numbers before the start of the pandemic were staggering.
Now, they’re becoming even more worrisome.
Since its opening, Columbus Regional Health’s Treatment and Support Center (TASC) — a service that offers outpatient treatments for substance abuse disorders, including medication-assisted treatment for certain cases — has filled an enormous need in Bartholomew County.
Initially, TASC anticipated seeing 126 patients in its first year and 600 patients over a five-year span.
From July 1, 2019, to June 16, 2020, TASC saw 596 unique patients.
At one point — months before COVID-19 forced the organization to shut its doors to the public in March — TASC anticipated seeing nearly 900 patients leading up to its one-year anniversary.
Dr. Kevin Terrell, TASC medical director, said that the pandemic has taken “an enormous toll” on the treatment center and its patients.
Many health officials across the country have expressed a fear that stresses from the pandemic have worsened destructive habits and lead to relapses for many drug users.
Terrell guesses that the number of patients at TASC that have relapsed has double or tripled.
Since 2017, there have been at least 90 fatal drug overdoses in the county. Last year, there were 23 fatal drug overdoses in Bartholomew County, up from 17 drug overdose deaths in 2018.
Halfway into 2020, 20 individuals are known to have died by drug overdose.
The trend — whether caused by treatment services like TASC being closed or not — is a concerning one. Especially with the uncertainty of how the coronavirus will affect daily life in the coming months.
COVID restrictions have been problematic for resources like TASC, which rely on in-person consultation for effective treatment.
Since March, TASC has largely relied on the honor system for checking patients for relapses since they were unable to screen urine for drugs. The only way that officials know if a patient has relapsed is if they tell doctors.
Thankfully, TASC is in the process of gradually bringing patients into the treatment center more frequently.
TASC aims to double the number of patients seen to around 1,200 and increase telehealth to make it easier for patients who don’t live near the treatment facility to remain in treatment in its second year.
Drug treatment organizations have proven tremendous worth to the community, and will continue to act as essential services as the state fully reopens.
