Short Wave Racism, Opioids And COVID-19: A Deadly Trifecta
May 17, 2021
Duaa Eldeib, a Reporter with ProPublica focusing on the opioid epidemic, discusses the alarming rise in drug overdose deaths, particularly among Black residents in Chicago during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights how the pandemic has intensified both the opioid crisis and systemic racism, creating a deadly combination. The importance of naloxone in combating overdoses is emphasized, alongside the challenges of awareness and access exacerbated by the pandemic. Telemedicine's evolving role in treatment is also explored, shedding light on new barriers and solutions.
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Opioid Deaths Surge in Chicago
- In 2017, Illinois aimed to reduce opioid deaths by a third by 2020.
- However, ProPublica reporter Duaa Eldeib uncovered a surge in deaths, especially among Black residents in Chicago.
COVID-19 Exacerbates Opioid Crisis
- COVID-19 exacerbated the opioid crisis by increasing financial stress, isolation, and desperation.
- Isolation prevented people from using drugs together, limiting the chance of naloxone administration during overdoses.
Racial Disparity in Opioid Deaths
- Opioid overdoses disproportionately affect Black residents in Chicago's West Side.
- Despite comprising less than 25% of the county's population, Black individuals accounted for half of the opioid overdose deaths.