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The number of overdose deaths in Lebanon County surged in 2020 to 39, up from 28 in 2019 and 27 in both 2018 and 2017, in a change that the county coroner and other local individuals with experience in the drug and alcohol field link to the coronavirus pandemic. James Donmoyer, executive director of Lebanon County s Commission On Drug And Alcohol Abuse, said there could be a lot of factors behind the increase last year and couldn t confirm what the pandemic had to do with it, but did link the deaths to a timeline of the pandemic. “We didn’t have any in March. Then in April and May, when things loosened up as far as COVID restrictions, our biggest month was May, with eight deaths,” he said. “As we came out of lockdown, our numbers went up. ....
LebTown January 14, 2021 Compass Mark is a nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent addiction through education, skill-building, and community mobilization. Serving Lebanon County for nearly ten years, Compass Mark’s team of prevention specialists are committed to guiding ALL people toward healthy, fulfilling lives free from substance abuse, problem gambling, and other addictions. This public health mission is vitally important during the current COVID-19 pandemic, as mental health and substance use concerns are rapidly increasing. Since March, alcohol sales have risen by more than 25%. Youth mental health diagnosis are growing, driven in part by increased social isolation and anxiety. Among adults, 13% are starting or increasing substance use to cope with stress, and the prevalence of depressive disorder is approximately 4x higher than just one year ago. ....