PUSHED TO THE FRINGES Three physicians who support those living with substance use disorders and homelessness discuss the added impact of COVID-19
Dr. Sean Groves
By Maria Ryhorski As COVID-19 swept the country over the past 19 months, an already marginalized group of people experienced even greater challenges than most in Saskatchewan. Those experiencing addictions and homelessness saw many community supports end abruptly, leaving some people, quite literally, out in the cold. Three physicians in Saskatchewan are acutely aware of the heightened impact of the pandemic on individuals who live on the fringes of society. From the perspective of Dr. Sean Groves, family physician in La Ronge and head of the Opioid Agonist Therapy Program, COVID-19 has exposed cracks in a system where those living with addictions and homelessness were already underserved.
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SMA DIGEST | FALL 2020
As COVID-19 hit Saskatchewan full force, detox programs – where many of the patients Dr. Groves serves get a chance to stop, reflect, and take the first steps toward recovery – were one of many community supports to be shut down. As a result, he says, “We saw a lot of revolving door addictions medicine happening, where people were just consistently in and out with addictions issues. And that exacerbated mental health issues that a lot of marginalized populations deal with.” In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, care moved to a largely virtual model and this lack of face-to-face contact has further inhibited treatment and recovery of those with mental health issues.
