This, despite the 100% increase in OD deaths in 2021
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – At the height of the pandemic, from summer 2020 to summer 2021, Lifeskills patient numbers dropped 18% from the previous year.
This despite tThe Warren County Coroner’s report shows overdoses increased 100% from 2020 to 2021.
But why? Lifeskills says the pandemic has left many people who needed mandatory treatment without care.
Lifeskills director of community engagement Melanie Watts said: ‘People weren’t being tested for drugs in drug court. People weren’t checking in person, if you will, and so a lot of things fell into limbo at that point. Our numbers kind of went down in terms of people we were seeing court order into treatment.
Now that court-ordered drug testing is back in person with the end of a pandemic, Lifeskills is seeing its numbers rise again. As for Watts, she’s happy people are getting the help they need.
“Lifeskills would like to see these numbers increase for court-ordered discharges, simply because we believe there is a need for drug and alcohol treatment,” she said.
If you or someone you love needs help, you can reach Lifeskills at (270) 901-5000
