The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of drug overdose fatalities in the US.

The study utilizes datasets from the CDC and employs a linear regression model to calculate the time-series of excessive deaths spanning from 2020 to 2022. An extensive literature review focusing on overdoses during the pandemic period is also conducted.

The findings reveal that the influence of COVID-19 on overdose fatalities in 2020, 2021, and 2022 were 1.18, 1.36, and 1.38 times higher, respectively. The observed demand for urgent mental health care has seen a lesser decline compared to the overall need for emergency services.

This study offers critical insights into the correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and drug overdose deaths in the US, which could serve as a valuable resource for future research and policy-making decisions. Consequently, it is imperative for emergency departments to be equipped and ready to deliver crucial care for adolescents confronted with mental health crises.