While Ascension’s St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton hasn’t seen more patients needing alcohol or drug treatment, a counselor says that doesn’t mean use and abuse isn’t increasing.
Angela Savides says there have been more police calls for those issues in a three-county area. She says about 20 percent of all calls in Outagamie, Winnebago, and Calumet counties involve substance use.
Savides says they’re trying to be proactive by continuing to connect with current patients virtually, and talking with people identified as needing help.
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department isn’t seeing a significant increase in alcohol and drug problems.
