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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 22, 2024 Page 19 Holiday stress can lead to heavy alcohol use T he average person takes advantage of the downtime during the holiday season. As long as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s have been celebrated, most people seize the opportunity to unwind, indulge and participate in holiday cheer, especially with alcohol. During prohibition years and in modern times, using alcohol to celebrate the holidays has never slowed. Yet, the general attitude towards moderation has changed as we better know the short- and long-term health impacts of alcohol use; the average American adult is not drinking excessively daily, weekly or monthly. Most people know alcohol is damaging to your mind and body; however, overindulgence is often encouraged during the holidays, and moderation and our knowledge of it sometimes conveniently no longer exists. A big reason for this is that even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most individuals and families. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly nine in 10 Americans say that concerns like not having enough money, missing loved ones, and family conflict cause them stress during this time of year. Unfortunately, close to two in five adults who experience stress during the holiday season said they use harmful coping mechanisms, such as drugs and alcohol. While most agree that the holiday season is a positive experience, we Nickolaus Hayes is a healthcare professional in the field of substance use and addiction recovery and is part of the editorial team at DRS. His primary focus is spreading awareness by educating individuals on the topics surrounding substance use. are often encouraged to manage stress by overindulging in things like alcohol, food or even drugs, and this has never changed in our society. Advertising is geared to play on this; bars, restaurants, liquor stores and alcohol suppliers know alcohol sales increase at this time of year, and the messaging is simple – buy our product and celebrate the festive season. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), 21.1% of Massachusetts adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month. The median number of drinks per binge is 5.4, and the 25% of active drinkers in the state consume a median of seven drinks per binge. Unfortunately, there is an average of 2,760 annual deaths in Massachusetts attributable to excessive alcohol use. There are strategies and resources to help. For example, on the state’s official website, resources for children and families, such as the Samaritans Statewide Helpline (1-877-870-4673), are available to anyone in Massachusetts who is in need of emotional support. Alternatively, you can text or call 988, the crisis lifeline, to talk to someone. During the holidays, pay attention to your feelings and develop a plan for when you are feeling stressed, sad or lonely. Avoid alcohol and drugs; while this is easier said than done for some people, the holiday season presents challenges that can trigger the use of alcohol. It’s wise to recognize these triggers and avoid alcohol. If you are struggling, focus on practicing self-care and remaining connected with your friends, family or local community. Feelings can amplify for some people this time of year, making it necessary to support others. Attend your local faith community, support group, community centers or local meetups. Most importantly, know when to seek help. This can be especially important for anyone already struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health issues. Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. While society tells us to indulge in certain things and throw care and caution to the wind, we can choose not to listen. Focus on the more authentic meanings of the holiday season and encourage others to do the same. Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Collection Week, now through Nov. 25 E very year National Collection Week takes place during the third week in November when across the country more than 4,500 dropoff locations open to collect shoebox gifts – filled with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items. This is an effort to send God’s love to millions of boys and girls around the world through the Samaritan’s Purse project. Throughout the project’s National Collection Week, area shoebox donors will contribute to the 2024 global goal of reaching 12 million children. During the year, you can also Build a Shoebox online at https://www.samaritanspurse. org/operation-christmas-child/ buildonline/ or mail or drop off your gift-filled shoeboxes at a permanent Ministry Center. Local drop off locations are as follows: · Chelsea, Mass. – NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER, 47 Spruce St., Chelsea, MA 02150-2345. Dates/Times: Fri., Nov. 22: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 23: 4:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 24: 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.; Mon., Nov. 25: 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. · Melrose, Mass. – FAITH EVANGELICAL CHURCH, 200 Franklin St., Melrose, MA 02176-1823. Dates/Times: Fri., Nov. 22: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 23: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 24: 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Mon., Nov. 25: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. DRUG CHARGES | SEE PAGE 19 vide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $8 million. The charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, Stephen Belleau, made the case announcement last week. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel R. Feldman and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case. - LEGAL NOTICE - COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA 01970 (978) 744-1020 Docket No. ES24P3206EA Estate of: DONNA WHITTEMORE-FARRIS Date of Death: 07/12/2024 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Christopher T. Casey of Salem, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.. The Petitioner requests that: Christopher T. Casey of Salem, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 12/02/2024. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, Hon. Frances M. Giordano, First Justice of this Court. Date: October 28, 2024 PAMELA A. CASEY O’BRIEN REGISTER OF PROBATE November 22, 2024

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