For example, Europe’s ageing cohort of opioid users are particularly vulnerable because of their high level of pre-existing health problems and lifestyle factors. While PWUD run the same risks of infection by COVID-19 as the general population, they also face additional risks that need consideration and mitigation. Top of page What are the particular risks for people who use drugs (PWUD) during the COVID-19 pandemic?

National and local level service reviews and updates will need to take place within the context of country-specific guidelines and rules for responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and the advice provided by ECDC and WHO. The purpose of this briefing is to highlight emerging risks linked to the COVID-19 pandemic for people who use drugs and those providing services for them from a European perspective, and where necessary to encourage planning, review and adaption of frontline and specialist drug interventions. The current public health crisis raises serious additional concerns for the wellbeing of people who use drugs, ensuring service continuity for those with drug problems, and the protection of those offering care and support for this population. Risks are increased by the high level of physical and psychological comorbidity found among some people who use drugs, the fact that drug problems are often more common in marginalised communities, and the stigmatisation that people who use drugs often experience. These are linked to some of the behaviours associated with drug use and to the settings in which drug use take place, or where care is provided. They can be exposed to additional risks, however, that require developing assessment and mitigation strategies. People who use drugs face the same risks as those of the general population and therefore need to be aware of the appropriate advice to reduce their risk of infection.

Last updated: 25 March 2020 Context – the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) in the EU This document is also available as a PDF.

Up-to-date information can be found in the guidelines prepared by national public health sources and the regular updates from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation regarding responses to the COVID-19 outbreak is rapidly evolving. The implications of COVID-19 for people who use drugs (PWUD) and drug service providers

Picture of long term crack user face