Addiction Aid Organizations Forced To Cut Back Services During Coronavirus Pandemic
Patrick Semansky/AP
About half of addiction aid organizations nationwide reported having to decrease services on account of COVID-19. That’s according to a new survey from New York University.
If cutbacks and closures continue, it could mean the spread of disease like HIV and hepatitis if clients are not able to exchange their syringes. These organizations also typically provide medical and life-saving services like narcan.
Guests: Casey Toner has been reporting on this for the Better Goverment Association.
Scott Fletcher, Executive Director at Community Action Place in Murphysboro. Among other services, the organization provides free HIV and STI testing, overdose prevention training, and needle exchanges for southern Illinois.