Laona High School to offer screening of “Written Off”

The Community Coalition of Forest County is partnering with the Human Service Center of Forest, Oneida and Vilas Counties to offer Forest County residents numerous opportunities to view a free screening of the documentary “Written Off. ”  The next Forest County screening date is Wednesday, May 23rd at the Laona High School.

“Written Off” 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 a 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.

The documentary film will be shown beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23rd at the Laona High School.  The screening is recommended for ages 14 and up.  Admission is free and no registration is required.

In addition to the film, parents, grandparents and caregivers are encouraged to tour Forest County Health Department’s “Hidden in Plain Sight” mock teen bedroom which will be setup at the school. The interactive room is a simultaneously amusing and horrifying scavenger hunt which helps adults spot the signs of substance abuse or addiction which may be hiding in a teen bedroom.

For more information about the documentary film and/or the Mock Teen bedroom, please contact the Forest County Health Department at 715-478-3371.

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

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.

“Written Off” Documentary Screening

Film Tells Gripping Tale, 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.  With the support of Rep. Ann Kuster, (D-NH), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, the documentary film “Written Off” is challenging conventional thinking about addiction.

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 a 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.

Continue reading ““Written Off” Documentary Screening”

April Meeting Date Set

The Community Coalition of Forest County will meet on April 10th at 8:30 a.m. at the Forest County Potawatomi Community building located at 8000 Potawatomi Trail.  Items to be discussed include the revitalization of the Drug Endangered Children committee, “Written Off”screening dates, Narcan training update and our Community Asset mapping project.  Agendas for the meeting have been distributed to Coalition partners. If your Forest County Service organization is interested in joining the Community Coalition, please contact Michelle Gobert at 715-478-7797.

2018 Youth Soccer Program

Parents and/or grandparents of youth in grades 4K – 3rd grade are invited to register their children in Forest County’s 2nd annual youth soccer program.

The youth soccer season will be held on Saturday mornings beginning on April 28th and running through May 19th.  This is a beginner soccer program that encourages youth to get outside and be active while learning the basics of soccer.   There is no cost to register.   

Registration forms, as well as the event schedule, are available to download here or are available for pickup at any of the three public libraries in the county.   Please contact Sarah Thomaschefsky at 715-401-1988 or sarah.thomaschefsky@fcpotawatomi-nsn.gov with any questions.

 

 

Free Overdose Prevention (Narcan) Training

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