More people are taking anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants during the pandemic lockdown, raising fears of long-term addiction and substance abuse of these drugs. The stress, worry and anxiety over becoming infected, as well as fears about jobs, money and economic hardships, are impacting mental health and fueling a spike in prescriptions for these ailments.
Prescriptions for anti-anxiety med rose 10.2 percent in March, while prescriptions for antidepressants increased by 9.2 percent. Some companies have reported even bigger rises: Express Scripts said prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs rose 34 percent between mid-February and mid-March. Mental health professionals say the increase is worrying, as people can develop a psychological dependence on these drugs that might continue after the lockdown eases.
Meanwhile, as Massachusetts resumes recreational marijuana sales—including more convenient curbside pickup to reduce the spread of corona virus—the state’s cannabis commission has made a very sensible ruling that kids can’t be in the car when the transaction takes place. That would violate the law prohibiting anyone under 21 from being on the premises of a marijuana store, while also raising serious public health concerns.
And finally, Mexican police announced a major drug haul in the border city of Tijuana. The cache included two tons of meth, 8 tons of pot and 131,000 pills containing the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. Police said the drugs appeared to be destined for the United States