This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the emergency department (ED) presentation frequency of patients using methamphetamine in pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 pandemic periods. According to their presentation period, the patients were evaluated in two groups as pre-pandemic and pandemic. The frequency of presentation and demographic characteristics of the patients were compared according to the periods. The study included a total of 620 patients, including 500 patients that presented to ED during the pre-pandemic period and 120 during the pandemic period. When the rates of ED presentation were compared between the two periods, there was a decrease of 76% in the pandemic period. These results suggest that the rate of the use of addictive substances can be reduced by taking public health measures.
Key words: COVID-19, methamphetamine, addiction, drug use
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