Please note, our August 1^st meeting will begin at the community center.  Following lunch, Jon Anzalone the EASD Community Engagement Coordinator will be conducting a tour of the new EAHS Agility Center.  We will be taking a field trip to the high school.  Thank you Jon for coordinating this!  

 

Mark your calendar for next Thursday and Friday: Corn and Brat Days  are August 3^rd and 4^th. Volunteers are needed if you’d like to support the Chamber. Or… take your employees out to lunch, just $6 for a ticket.

 

 

 

We had two guest speakers at our meeting on July 25^th address the concerns and programs working throughout the county to battle drug use and abuse.  Paige Mueller, a worker for AmeriCorps Vista, is presently a Substance Abuse Reduction Coordinator.  Each year 6,500 Americans serve for a one year placement with AmeriCorps.  AmerCorps focus on education, public safety and health concerns.  The goal of AmeriCorps is to build capacity and create sustainable programs for communities across the country.  At the present time, Paige Mueller works at Public Health and Human Services.  She has created a program entitled, “Hidden in Plain Site”.  This program is designed for parents, care givers, and school staff to help them recognize the signs and indicators that a young person may be using drugs.  As part of her program a mock bedroom is staged with the “flags” of possible indicators that a child may be using drugs.  Big Foot High School has already taken part in this program, and both Elkhorn Area High School and Middle School will be offering this program to parents later this fall during conferences. Paige’s Contact information should you like more information or to schedule a program: pmueller@co.walworth.wi.us

 

Katie Behl was our second presenter today and she is the president of the Walworth County Drug and Alcohol Coalition which started in July of 2017. There are three main goals of this organization.  First, it seeks to educate youth beginning in grade 3 about drug, alcohol, and tobacco use.  Next, it works to create an awareness that substance abuse treatment options may be available through an individual’s insurance plan as it seeks to ensure people get the help they may need.  Finally, the Walworth County Drug and Alcohol Coalition  is working to increase awareness in our county regarding drug use.  What are the signs, symptoms, and ways to deal with this shifting crisis.  This coalition seeks to keep people in the loop and provide a way that community members can volunteer to assist in their own town.

 

The Walworth County Drug and Alcohol Coalition is also working to

provide education for educators who often spend the most time with youth .  This is critical as they are on the front line with students. And, it is often not the parents that may be of concern.  Parents of students may also be a concern, and she works with schools to address the question, “How do we assist students in the homes where parents may be using drugs?”

 

Katie Behl also discussed the increase in pill usage due to easier access.  The opioid epidemic continues to grow, and is highly addictive.  Often people go from prescription drugs to heroine as their addiction grows. It is a difficult balance to address pain management, without increasing dependency on the opioid drugs.

 

When asked about resources available in Walworth Country for individuals struggling with addition, Katie Behl shared that very limited resources are available in our county to treat residents. At the present time, there are no inpatient locations to treat people who are addicted to opioids or other drugs.  There are out patient options, but residential alternatives are not yet available.  Treatment is also very costly.  States will soon come out with guidelines to ensure that all counties have their own residential facility. However, not all insurance plans will cover such treatment. 

 

Katie Behl then went on to share information regarding “Drug Court”. Drug Court works with citizens who have exited jail or have a long habit of drug use.  It is an intensive program to focus on high need individuals with a serious substance abuse disorder.  Individuals are “at risk” to re-offend and may have a court record.  OWI Court is separate from Drug Court.  There are five phases to the Drug Court plan, including a probation period of two years.  Drug Court, however, may reduce jail sentences as people enter this program. In Phase 1, counselors work with participants to increase stability and time off of drugs.  Individuals are drug tested 4 times a week, treatment plans are developed based on insurance plans and needs.  Individuals work with counselors as well as their probation officer. Every other week, individuals appear before the judge to check in regarding his / her progress.  It is up to the individuals to show up for treatment and complete drug testing.  If this requirement is not upheld, they may be sentenced to jail time or community service as a sanction.  When participants reach Phase 5, they are ideally independently functioning and clean of drug use.  Accountability and behavior modification is critical in this program. The Walworth County Drug Court has 54% success rate with individuals, which is slightly above the national average.