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2022

Large numbers of people with drug addictions were 'left to kill themselves slowly' during lockdowns

Substance abuse support groups were closed for five months in 2020 – with catastrophic impacts for the people who attend them.

Substance abuse support groups were classed as non-essential services for five months from March 2020, leaving people without a lifeline.

A survey of 157 drug and alcohol support services found that 84% of the support groups saw an increase in drug use among their clients.

“The ball was dropped by the government and people were left to kill themselves slowly for the first year of the pandemic," said one support worker.

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Jan 5th 2022, 12:05 AM