For too long, problem drinking has caused harm to our families and communities. Wisconsin leads the nation in excessive drinking , with one-fourth of adult residents drinking saying that they binge drink. And although teen drinking is decreasing, 30.4% of Wisconsin students say they currently drink, about twice the number of students who currently smoke marijuana.

With statistics like these, we think our community is ready for a conversation on what we can do to prevent and reduce problematic drinking.

Therefore, we’re inviting members of the community and elected officials to attend the Changing Your Alcohol Environment Event Series , to be held October 8 through 10 in Milwaukee. Sponsored by the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth and the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP) coalition, the series will explore our "alcohol culture," as well as what residents, advocates, and elected officials can do to increase public safety and health in their communities by preventing and reducing problematic drinking.

"We’re looking forward to a lively discussion on what residents and elected officials can do to target underage drinking as well as binge drinking among adults," said Jazzmyne Adams, Coordinator of the Southeast Region of the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth. "We think that Wisconsin is ready for this conversation."

The series begins on Tuesday, October 8, with a keynote talk by Rodney Wambeam of the University of Wyoming on the role of alcohol in our culture, both nationally and in Wisconsin, going back to the United States’ earliest years. Advocates in Wyoming reduced underage drinking by 40%, thanks to community policies that helped to change the culture and norms around problematic drinking in that state.

On Wednesday, October 9, and Thursday, October 10, Julia Sherman of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project will explore what residents and local elected officials can do to shape their community’s alcohol environment. Local municipalities in Wisconsin hold great power over their alcohol policies, giving elected officials and residents the opportunity to make changes that improve public safety and health. Sherman’s talk will be tailored to community members on October 9 and elected officials on October 10.

"We’re hoping that our community and local officials will understand how they can prevent and reduce underage drinking and binge drinking and all of the problems associated with them, such as impaired driving, increased risk of accidents, loss of productivity, addiction, and strain on personal relationships," said Kasaundra Brown, Coordinator of the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

All sessions will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, 225 W. Vine St., Milwaukee. RSVPs are required for this free community event at this link . Light refreshments will be served.

Did you know that 41% of litter collected on Milwaukee beaches is smoking related? The City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance and allies are placing cigarette butt receptacles at local beaches and other high-impact locations. They’re launching their Hold On To Your Butt MKE campaign with a press conference at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, by MooSa’s at Bradford Beach, 2272 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee. RSVP for the press conference here. Keep up with Hold On To Your Butt MKE’s progress by liking it on Facebook.

At the West Allis-West Milwaukee intermediate and high schools, the more than 4,500 students begin the academic year with an all-school assembly that includes Safe & Supported programming from the WAWM Heroin/Opiate Task Force . This assembly provides students with information and personal stories that involve substance use, mental illness, trauma and the importance of kindness.

The organizers strive to make sure that all students know what personal safety is and how to keep themselves safe physically, mentally and socially. They want to equip students with tools to make positive choices and to realize the consequences of poor choices, and also want them to know that they are not alone and the importance of having a support circle and someone that they can turn to.

This year, they changed things up a little bit and had the Public Policy Institute’s Jeremy Triblett share his journey of trauma to triumph with all intermediate and high school students in the WAWM School District.

"It was amazing," wrote Joanie Luedke, co-founder of the WAWM Heroin/Opiate Task Force. "He captivated the students’ attention and connected with so many of them on a completely different level. Jeremy spoke to all the youth as though they were the only person in the room. He told them that they are in control of their own ‘story’ and that they decide what their future will look like. He reinforced the concept that each of them is an individual and that they are all unique and special in their own way. It was incredible to watch him connect with the students. After each of the programs, students came up and wanted to meet him and shake his hand. Some even wanted a selfie with him. 

"After Jeremy’s first day of four in our district, word spread quickly about how great his presentation was. On the second day, the Superintendent of the WAWM School District came to the presentation to see Jeremy. On the fourth day, the Mayor of West Allis came to the presentation. 

"The WAWM Heroin/Opiate Task Force is extremely grateful to Jeremy and the Public Policy Institute for giving us the opportunity to have Jeremy as a presenter and for all the support that they have given us."

Unfortunately, e-cigarette users continue to be harmed by vaping. In Wisconsin, the state Department of Health Services puts the number of confirmed and probable cases at 69, while more than a thousand individuals are reported to have lung injuries due to vaping in 48 states and one territory, according to the CDC. The state found that most of the injured individuals had vaped products containing THC products, such as waxes or oils, which can also contain other chemicals or substances. DHS is asking everyone to stop vaping THC altogether. 

This month, the National Council for Behavioral Health recognized three members of Congress as Legislators of the Year. Milwaukee-area Congresswoman Gwen Moore was selected for her introduction of the National De-escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act of 2019 (HR 2457). The Council wrote:

A champion for public safety and the wellness of all Americans, Rep. Gwen Moore recently introduced the National De-escalation of Violence and Community Safety Training Act of 2019 (H.R. 2457). This bill creates a grant program to provide law enforcement officers the mental health training they need to respond to people with mental illness in communities across the country. As part of this important legislation, H.R. 2457 would reauthorize funding to train law enforcement officers, educators, first responders and other community leaders in Mental Health First Aid. For her leadership and passionate support for individuals living with mental illness and first responders, the National Council honors Rep. Moore with a 2019 Legislator of the Year award. 

The National Red Ribbon Campaign raises awareness of the harm caused by drugs in America. This year’s theme is "Send a message. Stay drug free." You can download Red Ribbon Week’s planning guide and get more information here. 

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition are pleased to offer this no-cost, two-day training for education and other professionals to learn how to identify chemically impaired individuals.

Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals (DITEP) is aimed toward educators, school nurses, administrators, law enforcement, parents, nonprofit professionals, and youth-serving organizations. Participants will learn how to assess individuals for substance use and ensure a safe environment for all.

There is no cost to attend, and participants will receive a manual and lunch. RSVP at this link as space is limited.

Want to help us connect with high school students and their parents? Volunteer for a Thursday Night Lights football game!

The Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition (MCSAP) and our community partners are doing prevention outreach and providing Dose of Reality materials to fans of high school football this fall.

We’ll be at the following games:

Each of these games will be broadcast on My24 and will be livestreamed (and archived) on My24Milwaukee.com as part of its Thursday Night Lights coverage.

Interested in volunteering at a game? Email John Eshun at [email protected]. Thank you!

Save the date for Mental Health America of Wisconsin’s annual celebration, to be held on December 4, at the Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee. Registration opens November 1.

The Alliance for Wisconsin Youth is presenting this intensive two-day training for coalition coordinators with breakout sessions on specific substances, prevention CEUs, and Comedy Sportz. It’ll be held at the Milwaukee Sheraton-Brookfield on March 25 and 26, 2020. Contact Jazzmyne Adams with questions at [email protected].

Mindful Self-Compassion enables practitioners to utilize mindfulness and self-compassion in their daily lives. This eight-week Thursday-evening course will be taught by Barbara Moser, MD, at Rogers InHealth, 4555 W. Schroeder Drive, Suite 185, Brown Deer. Download the flyer for details. 

The Children’s Environmental Health Network offers a range of resources that can be used to mark Children’s Environmental Health Day to shed light on the environmental hazards that children are exposed to every day. 

Families Moving Forward presents Pieces, a theatrical production by Brenda Wesley depicting youth as they deal with the stigma and labels of mental health issues. This free production will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, at the African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee. A community resource fair will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) is sponsoring its second annual state Summit on Opioids and Meth. The summit will feature trends in drug trafficking, interdiction, and treatment, along with model law enforcement, recovery, prevention, and harm reduction partnerships that reduce addiction and enhance recovery. Cost is $75 per person. The summit will be held October 15 and 16 at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. Get details and register here.

Stop by this community health fair in Cudahy to get a free flu shot (while supplies last) and more resources. It will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, at the Cudahy Middle School, 5530 S. Barland Ave., Cudahy.

Imagine MKE is launching its first gallery night with more than 25 artists at multiple venues, the Center Street Library (2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee), the BRIC (2741 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee) and the Milwaukee Black Historical Society Museum (2620 W. Center St., Milwaukee). Go to Imagine MKE’s website for details.

Circles of Support bring together returning citizens and community members for a shared meal and a restorative justice-style discussion. Community Advocates hosts once a month, but four other sites also host monthly circles. Community Advocates’ next circle will be held Wednesday, October 23, with a 5:30 p.m. dinner and circle to follow, at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. Check the flyer for details . To join, contact Amanda Smit at Project Return at [email protected] or 414-374-8029.

Employers looking for their next hire are invited to stop by the Southeast Wisconsin Reentry Employer Networking Expo to learn about the benefits of hiring returned citizens. Agencies that support formerly incarcerated individuals as they transition into the workplace will be on hand to explain their work and the successes they’ve had in helping returned citizens find and keep work. This no-cost expo will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mary Mother of the Church Pastoral Center, 3501 S. Lake Drive, Milwaukee. Stop in anytime. Employers are encouraged but not required to RSVP at this link. 

MPD District 5 is organizing this family-friendly Halloween-inspired gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 25, at MPD District 5, 2920 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee. Expect food, games, and resources, along with flu shots. Interested in donating or participating? Contact Officer Jocelyn Kalmanson at 414-935-7258 or [email protected] .

Join United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute for a conversation with author and social activist Tom Sheridan, moderated by Paul Schmitz, CEO of Leading Inside Out.

A social worker by training and one of Washington D.C.'s top lobbyists, Tom's advocacy wins include The Ryan White Care Act, The Americans With Disabilities Act, Bono's One Campaign, and the creation of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation. Tom will share his call-to-action for greater non-profit advocacy as found in his new book, Helping the Good Do Better: How a White Hat Lobbyist Advocates for Social Change .

Helping the Good Do Better will be available for purchase courtesy of Boswell Books ($28 per copy).

RSVP here for this free community event.

This moderated online course from Prevention Solutions at EDC explores the six principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics, brought to life with realistic examples designed to enhance participant understanding. The course also introduces a decision-making process to help practitioners apply this code to a variety of ethical dilemmas, and an online discussion area to facilitate discussion with other course participants. The cost of this six-hour course is $115. Learn more . 

The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence is offering this free webinar to mark the 35th anniversary of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, the primary funding stream for emergency shelters and services that support domestic violence survivors and their children. The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15, at 1 p.m. Register here.

Faith institutions have the potential to touch a broader range of the community than other sectors because they reach people of all ages, economic levels and ethnicities. This webinar from the Great Lakes PTTC will present a strong a clear rationale for the role of faith leaders in working across the continuum of care, including substance use prevention. Details and registration here. Part 2 will be held on November 5 .

Although this list of tips from teen Mental Health First Aid is intended as advice for young people experiencing a mental health issue, it’s a worthwhile reminder for adults that the young people in our lives need guidance to help them overcome their fears of reaching out to an adult. 

This bipartisan task force of Wisconsin legislators released its interim report on suicide prevention goals, including their recommendations for legislation. 

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force is seeking nominations for their 2019 awards. Nominations are due by October 18.  Download this document for details and this document for the nomination form . Awards will be presented at the fifth annual Karen Avery Forum, Tuesday, November 12, at Independence First .  This forum’s theme is " Pathways to Employment. "

Mental Health America just released its latest data on mental health and services in the states. Wisconsin ranks 13 overall, with a youth ranking of 6 (lower prevalence of mental illness and higher rates of access to care for youth) and an adult ranking of 19, near the national average. You can dig deep into the data here.

October 26 is national drug take-back day, which allows residents to safely and securely get rid of their unwanted medication so that it doesn’t fall into the hands of others. The US Drug Enforcement Agency has created a toolkit with posters, pamphlets, ads, and more at this link. The Dose of Reality website has Wisconsin-focused information.