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Community Coalition of Forest County Interest Survey

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The Community Coalition of Forest County recently surveyed Forest County middle and high school youth regarding prevention efforts in our county. The youth we surveyed responded that they are looking for role models and to participate in positive healthy activities in our area.

As part of our efforts to address those requests, our Coalition has hired Vive18 to present to the three local high schools on April 8, 2020. VIVE18 is a peer lead sustainable prevention program for teens, giving them skills to promote positive sober events in their communities. The Community Coalition of Forest County has secured $1500 in donations/grants from Conway True Value to offer mini-grants to middle and high school age county residents planning activities/events that will be distributed after the presentation.

The Community Coalition will need adult volunteers willing to work with the youth on the VIVE18 events; however, we are expanding our reach in order to build a base of volunteers and mentors that can be contacted to build/create/participate/promote youth activities across the county. This may range from one-on-one or group activities.

We know that our county residents have hidden talents, hobbies and interests to share.  We hope to find out what those are so that we can reach out to individuals when we have a need for assistance with event planning that will promote life-long learning and enhance the quality of life for Forest County residents.

Give us your talents, passions and interests and we’ll help you find a place to share them!

Wabeno Area Players to offer Written Off screening

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Please join the Wabeno Area Players on Thursday, April 4th, 2019 for a community screening of the documentary “Written Off”. The event will be held at the Nancy Volk Auditorium in the Wabeno Area High School. The Forest County Healthy Department will also offer a Mock Teen Bedroom display beginning at 5:30 p.m. for those 18 and older. A discussion panel will be available after the screening. The documentary is free and open to the entire community.

The film tells a gripping tale and challenges stigma. In 2016 more Americans died from overdoses than in the entire Vietnam War conflict. And yet those new casualties are rarely considered victims of disease.

The film chronicles the life of Matthew Edwards, a Crandon High School graduate, whose addiction to opioids began at age 15, after being prescribed pain medicine for minor surgery. His grippingly honest writing reveals the secrets he tried so hard to conceal throughout a decade long struggle to escape addiction. Matthew’s mother, Jane Funk, currently a teacher at Crandon High School, published the book What I Couldn’t Tell you: one Man’s Struggle with Opioid Addiction in June of 2017 and worked with filmmakers Molly Hermann and Rob Lyall on the “Written Off” documentary.

Recovery Coaching

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The Community Coalition of Forest County was able to secure a recovery coach through Marshfield Clinic Health System/AmeriCorps. Recovery coaching is available for anyone with a substance use disorder or any individual affected by substance abuse, including families, children and friends. If you or someone you know could use extra support, please call Mary Thornton at 715-660-6805

Prescription Painkillers. After the pain, they’re just killers.

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You may be surprised to learn that prescription opioid (or narcotic) abuse is a big problem in the State of Wisconsin. You are not alone. That’s why the Wisconsin Department of Justice, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and partners across the State, is sharing a DOSE OF REALITY and working to prevent prescription painkiller abuse in Wisconsin. When prescribed and used properly, prescription opioid painkillers can offer relief. However, anyone is at risk of becoming addicted, especially our young people ages 12-25.

Deaths and hospitalizations from overdoses are increasing, and four out of five heroin addicts start by abusing prescription painkillers. In the words of Attorney General Brad Schimel, prescription painkiller abuse is a “public health crisis in Wisconsin.”

Join thousands of other Wisconsinites taking positive action during DOSE OF REALITY WEEK, April 22-29, 2018.

Free Overdose Prevention (Narcan) Training

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To respond to the increase in opioid overdoses locally and statewide, the Community Coalition of Forest County is partnering with the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin to provide free overdose prevention (Narcan) training to Forest County residents.

The training will include information on local substance abuse resources, the importance of alerting emergency responders (calling 911), and hands-on experience with administering Narcan. Participants will receive a free Narcan (overdose reversal drug) kit that can be used to respond to an overdose.

The training is recommended for anyone at risk of an opioid overdose, friends and family of someone at risk, healthcare, social services, law enforcement and emergency response providers. Concerned community members are also encouraged to attend the free training. The training, led by the staff of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, will be held on Tuesday, March 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Forest County Courthouse Board room. Grant funding for the training is provided by the Wisconsin Alliance for Youth. For more information, or questions, please contact Jacee Anderson at the Forest County Health Department at 715-478-3371 or Michelle Gobert at the Forest County UW-Extension office at 715-478-7797.

Printable Overdose Prevention Training Poster