Mount Lebanon (often shortened to Mt. Lebanon) is a township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. A suburb of Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon has a population of just over 34,000. The township rests near the southern border of the county and is bordered to the north by the municipality of Pittsburgh.

Unlike many of the townships in Allegheny County, Mt. Lebanon is a somewhat recent addition to the county map. The land previously existed as part of St. Clair township, which was later subdivided into several smaller townships, one of which became Mt. Lebanon in 1924. And while Mt Lebanon is relatively young as a distinct township, the area has a very long history that can be traced back to the Revolutionary War.

Native American tribes were present in the area for years, but it wasn’t until the mid-1770s that European settlers made the land their home. Over the following century, the township steadily grew in tandem with the surrounding neighborhoods. Known primarily as a community of farmers, Mt. Lebanon was officially incorporated in 1912. The name was taken from the similarities between the landscape of the township and the famous mountain range in Lebanon.

Mt. Lebanon, PA is known for its unique form of local government. The township uses council-manager governance, and it was famously the first township in the state to do so in 1928. Though it was primarily used for farming in the 18th and 19th Centuries, the township largely abandoned its agricultural roots in the early 20th Century with the introduction of streetcars.

The population in Mt. Lebanon grew tremendously during the 1920s and 1930s, more than quadrupling in size over a span of roughly 10 years. By the mid-20th Century, Mt. Lebanon was incorporated into Pittsburgh’s public transit system. This helped ensure easier travel to and from the township.

While Mt. Lebanon is a pretty quiet community (despite its close proximity to downtown Pittsburgh), it has not been without its share of controversy. Most famously, Muhammad Ali attempted to buy a home in the area in 1974, but was denied the opportunity. Ali believed that it was a case of racial discrimination, but the local government claimed that they simply did not want the publicity and crowds that his presence would bring.

It’s easy to look at the history of Mt. Lebanon and think that it is a happy, quiet place to live. And while this is generally true, the township is not without its fair share of issues. Like most of Pennsylvania, Mt. Lebanon has fallen victim to the opioid crisis, in addition to increased drug and alcohol abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortunately, Mt. Lebanon and the residents of Allegheny County have access to both private and public addiction treatment resources. However, state-run programs are not always enough to address everyone’s needs. For this reason, many individuals and families turn to the experts at Prosperity Haven for help.

If you or someone you love is dealing with addiction in Mt. Lebanon, it is important to remember that you’re not alone. It is also important to understand exactly how substance abuse and addiction affect your community. So, in today’s guide, we will discuss some key facts and data points related to drug and alcohol addiction in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Mount Lebanon

Crime — including drug crimes — is substantially lower in Mount Lebanon than it is in many other parts of the state and country. Consequently, street drugs are not as much of an issue in Mount Lebanon, even though they have become increasingly prevalent in downtown Pittsburgh. However, the fight against prescription drugs remains strong in the township.

As of the latest data, Allegheny County has recorded an increasing number of overdose deaths since 2018. More specifically, the number of overdose deaths increased from 479 in 2018 to more than 719 in 2021. Roughly 87% of these deaths involved opioids, which has spurred the local government to enact programs and initiatives to fight the wave of opioid-related deaths. [1]

Naturally, Mt. Lebanon only accounts for a small part of Allegheny County. Nonetheless, Mt. Lebanon sees multiple drug and alcohol-related deaths every year. Moreover, the deaths in Mt. Lebanon have also kept pace with the rising number of deaths in the rest of the county.

Mount Lebanon Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Health estimates 17% of adults in the state report binge drinking alcohol on a regular basis. [2] While opioids can be deadly on their own, they are even more dangerous when mixed with alcohol or other substances. This has made the opioid crisis particularly impactful in Mount Lebanon and the rest of Pennsylvania.

Approximately 5,168 people died in Pennsylvania of accidental drug overdoses in 2021 alone. [3] Allegheny County accounted for roughly 14% of these deaths, making it one of the largest contributors to overdose deaths in the state. Though exact statistics for the township of Mt. Lebanon are limited, it is estimated that the township accounts for nearly 3% of the overdose deaths in Allegheny County and just 0.4% of the overdose deaths in the state of Pennsylvania.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Mount Lebanon

Residents of Mount Lebanon have access to both public and private treatment options, including the Centers of Excellence for Opioid Use Disorder (COE). Mount Lebanon also began its own initiative to fight substance abuse called Stop Addiction For Everyone or SAFE. [4]

In addition to launching local campaigns to teach Mount Lebanon residents about the dangers of drug addiction, SAFE also provides prescription drug drop-off boxes at the local Public Safety Center. To help address the rising number of addiction cases, Mt. Lebanon medical professionals have also been referring patients to third-party rehab centers like Prosperity Haven.

Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania Addiction Statistics

Though Mt. Lebanon does not have as many cases of drug overdose as some of the municipalities and townships nearby, it does have to deal with numerous overdoses and deaths every year. To better understand the full impact of drug and alcohol addiction in the township, it is best to look at the latest statistics available. So, here are a few of the most relevant findings in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania:

• Annual Overdoses: 78
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 42%
  • Illicit Substances: 19%
  • Prescription Drugs: 39%
• Annual Drug and Alcohol-Related Deaths: 21

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania

It is always a comfort to live in a safe, quiet community like Mount Lebanon. However, many local residents still have to struggle with addiction and substance abuse every single day. And while overdose deaths are not as high in Mount Lebanon as they are in many parts of Pennsylvania, they are still a very legitimate concern for the local government and dozens individuals and families who just want to recover.

Thankfully, the residents of Mt. Lebanon don’t have to face these issues alone. In addition to local and state-run programs designed to prevent, support, and treat addiction, patients can also turn to Prosperity Haven. Prosperity Haven has inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as access to group-based treatments.

It goes without saying that each person has to make their own journey to recovery. At Prosperity Haven, we take these individual needs into account and create a customized treatment approach for each patient. We offer detox facilities, counseling, dual-diagnosis treatment, residential inpatient programs, group and family therapy, as well as holistic approaches to address the broader needs of each individual. If you or someone you love is in need of help, Prosperity Haven is just a phone call away.

Are you or someone you love struggling with drug addiction in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania? Are you looking for facilities nearby that can help address drug or alcohol addiction using a wide range of treatments? If so, feel free to contact the experts at Prosperity Haven today.