Lifeskills patient numbers fall during pandemic… but why?

This, despite OD deaths jumping 100 percent in 2021

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – At the height of the pandemic, from Summer 2020 to summer 2021 Lifeskills’ patient numbers dropped 18 percent from the year prior. 

This in spite of the Warren County coroner report showing overdoses have increased 100 percent from 2020 to 2021.

But why? Lifeskills says the pandemic left many who needed mandated treatment without care. 

Lifeskills Director of Community Engagement Melanie Watts said, “People were not being drug tested in drug court. People were not checking in in person, if you will, and so a lt of things just kind of went into limbo at that time. Our numbers kind of decreased in terms of who we were seeing court ordered into treatment.”

Now that court-ordered drug tests are back in person with a pandemic winding down, Lifeskills is seeing their numbers incline again. As for Watts, she’s glad people are getting the help they need.

“Lifeskills would like to see those numbers increase for court-ordered referrals, just 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