January Session Recap

January 14, 2022

It Takes a Village to End an Opioid Epidemic

Reedsburg, WI – The 2021/2022 Sauk County Institute of Leadership (SCIL) class gathered at MATC’s Reedsburg campus with an esteemed panel of leaders in addressing Sauk County’s opioid epidemic to discuss measures being taken on a county level to address the issue. 

The panel included Dr. John McAuliffe, former medical director of Sauk Prairie healthcare and current family medicine doctor; Sara Jesse, Community Health Strategist for Sauk County Health Department; and Jerry Strunz, former police chief of Sauk Prairie Police Department.  

The panelists discussed the services and programs that have been implemented in Sauk County that serve those who face addiction as well as the challenges that come with addiction. Notable programs in Sauk County include its wraparound services that address addiction on a variety of levels. Services include connecting community members with medical care to treat their addiction, providing resources relating to behavioral therapy, and addressing basic needs such as food, housing, and access to harm-reduction supplies (e.g. Narcan). 

Each panelist recognized that there are multiple layers to any addiction and that prevention and treatment are dependent on the community’s support. Simply put by Dr. McAuliffe, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it is connection.” Connecting people to their communities is key in preventing and addressing addiction.

Addiction can begin in a multitude of ways and can be triggered by factors such as toxic community factors (e.g. community safety, discrimination), a lack of social-emotional skills such as self-esteem and resiliency, and adverse childhood experiences (ACES). Recognizing just how much a community can affect the opioid epidemic is daunting; and yet, with a positive mindset, empowering. Panelists were encouraged that all community members can have an impact on this epidemic and expressed that building trust, having a non-judgmental approach, and getting directly involved by receiving Narcan training can make a positive impact in the community. 

More information on Sauk County’s wraparound services can be found by contacting the Sauk County Health Department. 

Antowan Halloman Sr. and Haley Bonilla