What’s New

Peer support is the process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to achieve long-term recovery. Peer support is provided by a peer support specialist or recovery coach who uses his or her life experiences related to recovery from mental illness and/or substance use addiction, plus skills learned through training to help people promote mind-body recovery and resiliency. [SAMHSA definition].

What do peers do?
Peer support providers help people on their personal journey towards recovery. They offer emotional support, share knowledge and skills, and connect people with resources, opportunities, and community of support. In addition, peer providers:

• See the individual who has an addiction or mental illness as a person, not their illness
• Recognize strengths that can help in recovery
• Listen and offer kindness and understanding
• Talk about common experiences related to recovery
• Motivate through hope, inspiration and recognize successful accomplishments
• Help individuals identify their role in their recovery, in their family and in the community
• Offer guidance to plan steps for the future

For Peer Support services in Jefferson County: 24/7 Hotline 608-228-1278

In this podcast episode, we talk to Monica Hall, the District Attorney of Jefferson County. Topics include:

• The “Good Samaritan” overdose law or the “Aider Law” (Citation: 961.443 Immunity from criminal prosecution; possession); the intent of this law is to encourage people to call for help when a person has overdosed. The person doing the aiding can’t be prosecuted for possessing drug paraphernalia or drugs on them for personal use; however, there are situations that may not be covered.
• Naloxone (also known as Narcan) for use in the community to prevent opioid overdoses
• Fentanyl test strips: are they considered drug paraphernalia?
• Internal possession: (Citations: State v. Griffin, 220 Wis. 2d 371, 378, 584 N.W.2d 127, 130 (Ct. App. 1998); State v. Anderson, 176 Wis.2d 196, 500 N.W.2d 328 (1993))
• Law enforcement programs that refer people to treatment, rather than arrest.
• Resources in Jefferson County:
  • Human Services 920-674-3105
  • Jefferson County Peer Line: 262-409-2752
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment Court: 920-674-8723
  • Naloxone (Narcan) Direct: 920-674-7275
• Recovery resources mentioned on the podcast:
  • In the Rooms virtual community and meetings
  • AA meetings in Southern Wisconsin
  • NA meetings in Jefferson County
  • Celebrate Recovery meeting finder

Recently, I had a chance to interview Anthony Harris, the Youth Harms Reduction Coordinator at Diverse and Resilient, a public health organization that focuses on reducing health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people. This is a great podcast if you want to learn more about how drinking affects LGBTQ communities and the messages that can resonate with that audience and with all youth, in general.

Some topics covered in this podcast:

• How harm reduction messages can play an important role in preventing risks associated with youth alcohol use
• How the alcohol industry has lined itself up as an “ally” to the LGBTQ community and how that has affected alcohol use in that population
• How parents who drink alcohol can talk to youth and still serve as behavior models
• What are GSAs? How do they and other organizations in the local community support LGBTQ youth and their straight allies? (go to GSAFE for more information)
• What are the key points that you share with youth in the Thinking Under the Influence program?
• What are the 3 A’s influence how our community views alcohol use (Affordability, Acceptability, Accessibility). 3 A’s of Alcohol Handout (PDF)
• Did you know that Wisconsin has 2.7 times as many bars as grocery stores?

The Mission of Diverse and Resilient is to achieve health equity and improve the safety and well-being of LGBTQ people and communities in Wisconsin. They provide training and connect people to resources locally and statewide. Go here for more information.

On May 18th, 2021, the City Council of the City of Jefferson voted to allow gas stations to sell liquor in addition to beer. Many gas stations in the City of Jefferson currently hold a Class A Beer and Cider license and now they would be able to apply for a Class A Liquor License. What this essentially means is that gas stations can now become small liquor stores.

As of April 21, 2021, there are 6 businesses that hold Class A Beer & Cider licenses and 4 businesses that hold Class A Beer & Liquor Licenses. The current discussion involves the number of Class A Beer licensees that now will be granted a Class A Liquor license. Before making these decisions, we would ask the City Council and the people in the City of Jefferson to consider the social and financial impact of allowing more businesses, especially gas stations, to sell liquor.

According to County Health Roadmaps and Rankings, there is strong scientific evidence that increased alcohol outlet density increases rates of alcohol consumption, violent crime and underage drinking. One particular study found that each additional off-premise alcohol outlet was associated with a greater than 12% increase in pedestrian injury.

Additionally, liquor available at gas stations is a risk to the community because it spurs impulse buying and people driving drunk. It increases the risk of injuries to pedestrian and injuries to people on the roadways. Many underage people find it easy to get alcohol from convenience stores. According to Department of Health Services, 25% of 11th graders admit to buying alcohol from a retailer like a gas station, grocery, liquor or convenience store.

Alcohol Purchase Surveys conducted recently in the City of Jefferson suggest that convenience stores and gas stations are not consistently checking ID for alcohol purchases making it easy for youth to purchase alcohol. Between the two surveys done in the last year, 5 different businesses in the City of Jefferson “failed” the survey, meaning the clerk did not ask a young adult for ID before offering the sale.

Underage drinking is harmful to the teenage brain. It can change the way the brain develops and functions. Drinking can damage parts of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and self-control. Underage drinking can go hand in hand with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Because most underage drinking is binge drinking, young people are more likely to experience alcohol poisoning. When we provide more opportunities to purchase alcohol within a community that has historically sold alcohol to teens, we are not protecting our youth.

In Jefferson County, the estimated economic cost of binge drinking is $55.7 million. This includes money lost in criminal justice, lost productivity, healthcare and other expenses. Excessive alcohol use in Jefferson County contributes to an annual average of 33 alcohol related deaths, 786 hospitalizations, 80 alcohol related crashes and 188 persons in treatment for alcohol use.

Policies that increase the availability of alcohol can lead to a myriad of community problems, such as drunk driving, alcohol misuse, and underage drinking. We need good policies that aim to protect the health and well-being of its community members.

Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition

For May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I had the honor of interviewing Alicia Leslie, the Behavioral Health Manager at Fort Healthcare for our latest podcast. This interview focused on youth mental health and some ways that parents and caregivers can recognize and respond to issues around their child’s mental health. We also talked about strategies that might be offered in a therapy session and mental health resources that are available to everyone in the community.

Topics included in this podcast (and some highlights):

• Current mental health issues among youth
  • reference: Voices of Wisconsin Students Project Data HERE
• Signs to look for that could indicate your child is having problems with their mental health
  • Changes in mood, appetite, anxiety, use of alcohol, drugs, and other changes that are getting in the way of school, friends, and relationships that are lasting a couple weeks or more
• What parents can say and do to help their children cope with their mental health
• How parents decide when they need to seek outside help for their child’s mental health
• What to expect in therapy and the importance of a therapeutic relationship
• Resources in the community mentioned on the podcast:
  • Text Hopeline to 741741
  • Fort HealthCare Behavioral Health
  • MyStrength App (Access Code: JeffersonCounty)
  • Project Recovery (Call 211 and ask for Project Recovery)
  • Jefferson County Peer Support Line (262-409-2752)
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline (800-273-8255)

Even though underage drinking continues to decline, alcohol is still the most commonly used drug among youth. 33% of high school students in Jefferson County reported using alcohol according to the last school survey. There are many physical, social and emotional consequences of underage drinking. Underage drinking can impact brain development for those under age 25, mental health such as depression and suicide, and risk-taking behaviors. 90% of underage drinking is binge drinking.

How do youth get access to alcohol? By asking for it. Older friends, siblings, and parents supply youth with alcohol. Parents can serve as role models, set boundaries, and have honest conversations with their children about alcohol use. The Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition recently partnered with the Department of Health Services on a podcast about Small Talks, the campaign to prevent underage drinking (listen here on Spotify). This effort encourages adults to have short, casual conversations with their children frequently, starting at age 8 on the dangers of drinking alcohol before the age of 21. (dhs.wisconsin.gov/small-talks)

Youth can also buy alcohol from retail outlets that are not consistently checking ID. In an effort to find out how well retailers are checking ID, the Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition will be conducting Alcohol Purchase Surveys this month, which involves sending in a younger-looking person to attempt to buy alcohol. The Alcohol Purchase Survey results will enable the coalition to provide feedback to businesses about the importance of checking ID to prevent youth access to alcohol.

For more information about Alcohol Awareness Month activities, contact Emi Reiner at: emir@jeffersoncountywi.gov

Drug Take Back Day on April 24, 2021 is the day that many people in Wisconsin and throughout the nation safely dispose of their expired and unused medications. Proper drug disposal is important because of the potential misuse of these medications, especially if they get into the wrong hands. Participating in take back events is one thing people can do to positively impact the opioid epidemic and protect their loved ones.

Improper drug disposal can also harm the environment. Unused or expired medications should never be flushed or poured down the drain. They should be brought to a medication drop off site to be disposed of properly.

In 2020, Jefferson County Sheriff and Police Departments collected over 1,500 pounds of medications in their drop boxes. The Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition and its partners are asking people to bring expired and unused medications to drop off sites in the county. Instructions about what is accepted and not accepted in the drop boxes and the locations can be found here: https://jeffcodrugfree.org/resources/med-drop/

To find a drug drop off site in Wisconsin, go here: https://doseofrealitywi.gov/drug-takeback/find-a-take-back-location/

“Small Talks” is Wisconsin’s brand new campaign to Prevent Underage Drinking. Allison Weber of the WI Department of Health Services and Josh Skowron of KW2 join our latest podcast episode to talk about the “Small Talks” that parents can have with their children to make conversations about alcohol a little easier.

Be sure to listen to the entire podcast to learn more about the campaign and how we can all work to prevent underage drinking.

Some topics discussed on the podcast include:

• What exactly is the “Small Talks” campaign and why is it important? Allison and Josh give some of the latest data on underage drinking rates in Wisconsin, which is decreasing (but at a slower rate than the rest of the U.S.).
• Why is it important to have short conversations (“Small Talks”) with children important? Research shows that parents and caring adults are the most powerful influence on children’s choices about underage drinking.
• What age should parents start having these conversations? Research shows that children start forming opinions about alcohol use as early as age 8.
• How can parents get tips on how to talk to their children about underage drinking? They can go to the “Small Talks” website (SmallTalksWI.org) and get the Tip Sheet (PDF) for parents to have a successful Small Talk.
• What if parents get asked those hard questions about alcohol use? The answer is you can’t really mess up. Every attempt shows you care and helps build those connections with your child. Go to the page “Start Talking” to help you answer questions like “Did you drink when you were a kid?”

If you want to get involved in underage drinking prevention efforts in Jefferson County, get involved in our coalition!

There are many ways SMALL and BIG that you can do to help the community with alcohol and drug use issues. Here are 10 ways:

1. Dispose of expired and unused prescription and over-the-counter medications at a local Med Drop Box.
2. Thank a business for following best practices by checking ID for alcohol purchases or not displaying tobacco ads at child’s eye level (For more information, see Tobacco is Changing).
3. Schedule “family time” for recreation and communication. Strong family relationships can help youth develop key character strengths and achieve other positive life outcomes.
4. Have Small Talks with your children to talk about your concerns about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
5. Support community efforts to establish alcohol, drug and smoke-free environments.
6. Talk to other parents about not supplying alcohol at each other’s houses.
7. Learn about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and their effects to talk about them knowledgeably (Facts on Teen Drug Use).
8. Learn about resources that are available in the community. If you suspect your child is having a problem with alcohol or drug use, here are some tips on what to do.
9. Support someone’s road to recovery by offering a ride to meetings or being available to talk.
10. Join a local drug free coalition like ours! We have meetings every 2nd Friday of the month that are open to the public. See our Calendar of Events.

Coalition postcards are here! These postcards can be given to parents, families, and clients by schools, businesses and community organizations. They are free and you can order them by sending an email with the quantity to Emi Reiner at: emir@jeffersoncountywi.gov

• Underage Alcohol Use Postcard (PDF)
• Opioid Use Postcard (PDF)