Issue 8-8 | April 8, 2019
News
Spotlight On:
Take Back My Meds MKE
Roughly one third of all prescriptions go unused. Less than 10% of that medicine is ever removed properly from homes. Unused medicine left in the house often starts or feeds an addiction. Studies have found that nearly 80% of heroin users used prescription opioids for non-medical reasons before beginning the use of heroin. They have also shown that people addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to also be addicted to heroin. 

The abuse of unused medicine is a key factor in the opioid crisis in Milwaukee County, where drug overdose is, by far, the leading cause of non-natural death.

Improper disposal of unused medicine also harms the environment. Flushing unused medicine down the toilet sends drugs directly to Lake Michigan because they are not removed during sewerage treatment.

Take Back My Meds MKE , a coalition funded by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and a member of the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP) coalition , is working to improve these grim statistics. The coalition is making it easier for Milwaukee County residents to dispose of unused prescription medicine. It is also working to educate people to dispose of any leftover medicine as soon as they are through using it.

On Saturday, April 27, Take Back My Meds MKE and Safe & Sound will be sponsoring a drug take-back event at Christ-St. Peter Lutheran School Lot, 2137 W. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Stop by with your unused medications and any questions you have about how to get rid of your unwanted pills safely. 

Spring Wellness Fair
Saturday, May 11
Are you feeling stressed, tired, or uninspired? You can renew your spirit and embrace wellness at this FREE community event sponsored by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division . We're planning a full day of demonstrations, resources, free food at lunchtime, and prizes to honor May as Mental Health Month.

The Spring Wellness Fair will be held on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee.

RSVPs are recommended here so we can plan for the day.

Interested in getting involved as a presenter or to staff a resource table? Email Nelson.
Nominations Sought for Youth Work Awards
Deadline: April 22
The Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals invites you to their 19th Annual Youth Worker Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 9, at the Doubletree Hotel in Downtown Milwaukee. At the event, awards will be presented to outstanding youth workers. Want to nominate a youth worker for an award? Make your nomination at this link by April 22.
Free Line Dance for Wellness Classes
May 7, 14, 21, 28
To celebrate Mental Health Month, Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division and Mind Body& Soul Dancers are offering free line dance classes every Tuesday in May. Everything is free, including light refreshments, dancing, and a lot of positive energy and stress relief. These family-friendly classes will be held every Tuesday throughout May from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee. Register here to let the organizers know you’re coming.
Save the Date
Your Brain On Poverty:
Neuroscience, Development and Early Childhood Deprivation
Thursday, June 19
The Medical College of Wisconsin will sponsor this gathering on poverty's impact on child development featuring keynote speaker Martha J. Farah, PhD, Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Neurosciences and Society, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MCW's Alumni Center, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee.
Events
State Budget Hearing
Wednesday, April 10
Want to tell state legislators how you want them to spend your tax dollars? Want to make your priorities the state’s priorities? Attend the Milwaukee-area meeting of the Committee on Joint Finance, which is the Legislature’s budget-writing committee. The hearing will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at the Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek.

Can’t attend? Email your comments to budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov .
Free Oral Cancer Screenings
Thursday, April 11
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and the Aurora Sinai Medical Center , 945 N. 12th St., Milwaukee, will host complimentary oral cancer screenings in the cafeteria from 1 to 4 p.m. You can receive free information on oral cancer, head and neck cancer, HPV, HPV vaccines, smoking cessation and a free head and neck cancer screening exam. You will also have an opportunity to meet cancer survivors and members of the Aurora Head and Neck Cancer teams.
 
Walk-ins are welcome, but if you would like to register, please do so at this link .
Healthiest Greenfield Coalition Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 11
The Healthiest Greenfield Coalition’s first meeting of 2019 will take place at Greenfield City Hall, 7325 W. Forest Home Ave., from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The coalition will be based on three committees regarding healthy aging, behavioral health, and nutrition/physical activity. Please RSVP here . 
The Impact Adultification Has on Children of Color
Thursday, April 11
Jacqueline Miller, founder of Healthy Actions Intervening Responsibly (H.A.I.R.) , will present an informative webinar on the adultification of children who experience trauma, with a particular emphasis on black girls. The session will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on April 11; please register here .
Parent Wellness Circles
Wednesdays, April 24 through May 29
These Wednesday meetings sponsored by REDgen , Parent Wellness Compass, and Samaritan Family Wellness Foundation will be held at Kingo Lutheran Church, 1225 E. Olive St., Shorewood, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The meetings are open to any mothers or fathers of children, regardless of age, focusing on parental experiences and growing together via discussion and education. Please register in advance for these no-cost sessions here .   
Mix in the Morning
Saturday, April 27
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee will host a networking and discussion event at Colectivo Coffee, 2211 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee, for those interested in furthering the mission or mentoring young people. Complimentary coffee and pastries will be provided, as well as first-hand advice and stories from mentors. The event will run from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27. You can RSVP here . 
Reimagining Justice for Wisconsinites with Mental Illness
Monday, April 29
Sponsored by the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force and MKE Turner Confronting Mass Incarceration Committee, this “reimagining justice” event will include a panel discussion with Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr, state Rep. David Bowen, State of Wisconsin Chief Psychologist Christine Apple, and EXPO/WISDOM organizer Alan Schultz, and moderated by Rev. Willie Brisco, WISDOM President. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29, at Independence First , 540 S. First St., Milwaukee. Space is limited so RSVPs are a must. Get details and register at this link.
Research & Resources
May is Mental Health Month Toolkit 
This year’s toolkit from Mental Health America will feature focuses on animal companionship, work/life balance, humor, standard toolkit graphics, and many other relevant items. You can access the full version here .
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Community Advocates Public Policy Institute | 414-270-2950  | ppi.communityadvocates.net
Community Advocates is supported by ReCAST MKE, a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services, under Grant No. 5H79SM063524.