Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) – The Department of Health (DOH) said that drug users are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, citing their risk-taking behaviors and the negative effects of the illegal substance to their bodies.
Dr. Jose Bienvenido Leabres, program manager of DOH’s Dangerous Drugs and Treatment Program, said the community lockdowns may trigger craving among drug dependents that could push them to find ways to satisfy it despite pandemic restrictions.
“During quarantine, hindi sila makalabas, hindi sila makakuha ng droga nila…Nagkakaroon sila ng anxiety, nagkakaroon sila ng craving at kung saan nagiging iritable sila,” Leabres said.
[Translation: During quarantine, they cannot go outside, they cannot get a hand on drugs…They experience anxiety, craving, and they become irritable.]
“Sila po ay lalabas at makikihalubilo, hahanap ng droga, at kapag may nakita silang kaibigan na gumagamit din, gagamit din sila,” he added. So nawawala na yung physical distancing.”
[Translation: They will go out and engage with others, look for drugs, and once they found a friend using drugs, they will also do the same. So physical distancing is not observed.]
Leabres emphasized that the use marijuana and methamphetamine have side effects on the lungs, which are the most vulnerable organs in COVID-19 infection.
“Humihina ang baga,” he warned. “So yung mga effects nito sa baga plus the effects of COVID sa baga will increase the risk for them to have a severe form of COVID-19,” he said.
[Translation: The lungs are weakened. So their effects plus the effects of COVID on the lungs will increase the risk for them to have a severe form of COVID-19.]
He added that substance abuse also weakens the immune system which increases one’s risk to viral infection.
“Siyempre kung laging binubugbog ng droga ang katawan ninyo, humihina ang immune system ninyo (Of course, when you use excessive drugs, your immune system gets weak.),” Leabres pointed out. “If you have a poor immune system, you are prone to infections which includes tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS, hepatitis, and of course COVID.”
Leabres said the pandemic prompted his office to temporarily suspend the operations of rehabilitation centers. Fortunately, there are zero cases of COVID-19 infections in the facilities.
Leabres noted that drug abuse is a treatable, chronic disorder. Only those with severe cases are admitted to rehabilitation centers, he said.
He advised everyone who have problems with illegal drugs to call the DOH Helpline 1550. All information disclosed are confidential and one may reach out for support, intervention, and referral for treatment.
