LRN AM Newscall July 26

If you or someone you know needs help with opioid addiction in Louisiana, help is a text to three numbers way at 2-1-1. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A report by the Cleveland Clinic shows an increase in eating disorders among young people. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A dramatic increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations results in the Governor issuing a statewide masking recommendation. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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The number of opioid overdose deaths has increased by 60-percent in the state and now Louisiana 2-1-1 is able to point you in the right direction to assist with opioid addiction. President and CEO of Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot (Birth a lot) says they can direct you to local resources, like treatment centers…

Cut 4 (11) “…anytime.”

Berthelot says they worked in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Health to develop Opioid Assistance with 211. She says LDH anticipates a forty-percent increase in opioid abuse in the next year.

Cut 5 (12) “…find help.”

In addition to 2-1-1’s 24/7 call center, Berthelot says you can also text the word OPIOID to 898-211. She says the texting option can also put you in contact with a live counselor.

Cut 6 (09) “…same time.”

Since the soft launch of the opioid crisis referral program this spring, Berthelot says they’ve assisted more than 60 individuals.

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Since the start of the pandemic, the Cleveland Clinic reports there’s been a rise in the number of young people with eating disorders. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor of Public Health Dr. Melinda Sothern says it’s an issue locally as well and pandemic isolation led many who previously had disorders to relapse

Cut 7 (10) “…seen again” 

The National Eating Disorders Association reported a more than 58 percent increase in hotline use since March of 2020.

Sothern says in particular there was a rise in reports of self-image among young girls due to more time alone and more time spent on social media…

Cut 8 (09) “…isolation.”

Sothern says there needs to be a change in the way society looks at relationships with food…

Cut 9 (12) “…foods.”

The Cleveland Clinic report showed a large number of their new admissions reported using food as a coping mechanism during the pandemic.

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The more contagious and virulent Delta coronavirus variant is tearing through Louisiana, resulting in Governor Edwards issuing a statewide mask advisory. Edwards says the statewide average of daily cases per 100,000 residents has increased 208 percent over the past 14 days…

Cut 10 (06) “…United States of America” 

Since last Monday the state has added 16,900 new positive cases of COVID, and that’s not including this weekend’s numbers that will release Monday at 12 PM. Delta is now believed to be responsible for 80 percent of new cases.

Edwards says since July 1st there has been an increase of 749 new COVID-related hospitalizations, putting us over 1,000 total.

Cut 11 (08) “…240.”

Edwards says only about 40 percent of the state is fully vaccinated and that woefully low number is driving this preventable fourth wave…

Cut 12 (09) “..vaccinated.” 

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Texas and Oklahoma are expected to announce today they are leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference, which would make the SEC a 16-member league. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says this might mean the end of the Big 12

Cut 13 (10) “..might do.”

Marcello doesn’t believe the SEC was looking to expand

Cut 14 (09) “…makes sense”

Marcello says money is driving a reason why we are seeing another conference realignment shake-up. He says the other factor is that major conferences are looking to create their own governing body and split away from the NCAA….

Cut 15 (14)“….differently”