Jefferson County Receives Funds to Fight Opioid and Drug Epidemic
The Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition was recently awarded a grant of $10,300 by the Department of Health Services to combat the growing problem of opioids and drugs in the community. "This grant allows our coalition to work on several initiatives that together, will prevent drug abuse and reduce the number of overdoses in the County. We want to make sure that every community member has an opportunity to receive the education and services made possible by this grant." says Emi Reiner, Jefferson County Health Department Public Health Nurse and a member of the coalition.
The coalition will use the funds for the following initiatives:
- Free Narcan training and Narcan (an overdose reversal drug), throughout the community in conjunction with the public libraries and the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. All trainings will be available in Spanish and English languages.
- A permanent prescription drug drop off box at the Johnson Creek Police Department through a partnership with the Jefferson County Clean Sweep Program.
- Pouches to deactivate unused medication for safe disposal in household trash.
- Educational materials for the Dose of Reality campaign to warn about the dangers of misusing prescription medications and the safe use, storage, and disposal of medications.
- Town hall event with a focus on the consequences of alcohol misuse and abuse.
These grants are funded through the federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, which has also provided funding for treatment programs throughout the state and a network of certified peer specialists and recovery coaches. For more information, contact the Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition at email: jeffcoDFC@gmail.com or go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyDrugFreeCoalition/.