Opioid overdoses increase in New Hampshire and Vermont during the pandemic

Compared to last year, the number of fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses are considerably higher this year in New Hampshire and Vermont. New Hampshire reports a 30 percent increase in fatal overdoses—42 deaths in April and 45 in May of 2020, compared to 32 in April and 35 in May of 2019. According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of non-fatal overdoses was almost double in March 2020 what it was in March 2019. Similarly, in Vermont the number of fatal overdoses had been four in March 2019 and eight in April 2019 but jumped to nine and 17 for March and April 2020. Public health officials suggest that anxiety, depression, social isolation, and economic challenges of the pandemic are contributing factors. #covid-19 #mentalhealth