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Priorities and Initiatives:
ALCOHOL * PRESCRIPTION DRUGS * MARIJUANA
Preventing and Reducing Youth Alcohol Use
Here are the facts:
Check out this fact sheet for parents: 
Social Host Ordinance
What is it?
Social host penalizes anyone who provides a location for underage alcohol drinking to take place, regardless of who provides the alcohol. Anyone breaking the social host law faces a minimum fine of $1,000 and up to $5,000. Why is it needed? Teens report that alcohol is easy to get. Social sources, like family and friends, are the primary sources of alcohol for kids who drink. From 2004-2011, there have been 18 alcohol-related deaths among young people ages 15-24 in La Crosse County. 81% of La Crosse County residents support the legal drinking age of 21 and 98% of residents agree that it is not okay to serve alcohol to someone else’s teen. Social Host FAQs:
Parents: Please provide safe, alcohol-free activities for our youth. Be at home when your teen has a party and refuse to supply alcohol to anyone under 21. Talk with other parents about not providing alcohol at youth events. Report underage drinking to law enforcement. Find out more about social host here:
Prescription Drugs-Combating Youth Prescription Drug Abuse
Permanent Medication Drop Boxes
The La Crosse County Prevention Network Prescription Drug Subcommittee has coordinated community-wide drop-offs in La Crosse County since 2010! Our periodic community-wide drop-offs have become an established and recognized event in our community thanks to the continuous efforts of the Prescription Drop Subcommittee members! Provision of permanent medication drop boxes are located at local law enforcement agencies throughout our county to enhance access for safe disposal of medications. Did You Know? 70% of people 12 and older who abuse prescription drugs get them from family or friends. Don't let that be YOU!! Learn how to PREVENT Prescription Drug Abuse with these simple steps: 1. Store Safely - Keep your meds locked or protected, and know what you have! 2. Do Not Share - It is illegal to share! 3. Dispose Properly - Take advantage of local resources for proper medication disposal More information about prescription drug drop boxes: http://www.lacrossecpn.org/events.html - Scroll down to 'Ongoing Campaigns.' Reducing Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Abuse: A Call to Action (.pdf)
For more information:
Please contact Rita Von Haden Prevention Specialist, Coulee Council on Addictions 921 West Ave. S. La Crosse, WI 54601 608-784-4177 rita@couleecouncil.org Marijuana - Educating Youth and the Community
La Crosse County Prevention Network's Marijuana Belief Statement
Big Marijuana in Colorado
Early Data Reveal Troubling Developments SAM = Smart Approaches to Marijuana, is an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy. The article is the report card for Colorado so far in their marijuana legalization journey and early data is revealing troubling developments!
5 Reasons Why Marijuana is Not Medicine So far, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved marijuana for medicinal use. To approve a medicine, the FDA requires five criteria to be fulfilled: 1. The drug's chemistry must be known and reproducible. 2. There must be adequate safety studies. 3. There must be adequate and well-controlled studies proving efficacy. 4. The drug must be accepted by well-qualified experts. 5. Scientific evidence must be widely available. Click here to read the full article by Bertha Madras
SCAODA Marijuana in WI: Research-Based Review and Recommendations for Reducing the Public Health Impact of Marijuana Report Just Released "In the past, the SCAODA Prevention Committee has previously published recommendation reports on emerging topics such as, alcohol culture and environment, prescription drug abuse, and the heroin epidemic. Throughout the research processes of past reports, the consistent theme heard from individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders and professionals who treat them, was that they did not start with heroin or prescription drugs. The answer was more times than not marijuana and/or alcohol. Members of the SCAODA Prevention Committee readily acknowledged the need for a Marijuana Ad-hoc Committee. Heightening this need is the nationwide marijuana movement, in which some States have decriminalized marijuana possession, legalized marijuana for medicinal use, as well as legalized marijuana for recreational use. The Marijuana Ad-hoc Committee not only focused on prevention efforts by reducing the initiation of marijuana use, but also how marijuana use affects individuals, families, and larger systems within the general public. This report will be a valuable tool for those around the state who are interested in promoting the health, safety and well-being of Wisconsin residents." Danielle Luther, MPH Manager- Substance Abuse Prevention Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach View the full SCAODA Marijuana Report and Recommendations View the below file for a summary of the SCAODA report that includes some La Crosse County marijuana data
Weeding through the Myths Download the document below to weed through some of the biggest myths about marijuana. With this fact sheet, you will learn more about the newest forms of marijuana and what science says about the marijuana of today. 
What are Marijuana Concentrates? Marijuana concentrates are becoming increasingly popular among marijuana users today. View the brochure below for information about what concentrates are, the effects of using marijuana concentrates, and dangers of making concentrates at home.
For more information:
Please contact Judi Zabel 7 C's Coalition (formerly La Crosse Area Health Initiative) tobacco coalition Leader, more information here Health Educator, La Crosse County Health Department 300 N 4th Street La Crosse, WI 54601 608-785-9855 jzabel@lacrossecounty.org Heroin Task Force
The goal of this effort is to create a self-sustaining coalition or task force of community stakeholders to identify and implement community-based strategies that reduce the public health burden of heroin and other illicit substance use in La Crosse County.
Our intention to pilot this initiative is to:
The task force meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 1-2:30pm. Please check on meeting locations as they may change. The task force operates using guidelines of Robert’s Rules and has appointed/nominated members. The public is welcome to attend meetings and public comment is accepted. For more information: Please contact Al Bliss Health Educator, La Crosse County Health Department 300 N 4th Street La Crosse, WI 54601 608-789-4820 abliss@lacrossecounty.org Visit the La Crosse County Heroin and Other Illicit Drug Task Force website: http://www.lacrossecounty.org/hTaskForce.asp Heroin Task Force Committee Members
Heroin Task Force Recommendations - April 16, 2014
Heroin Task Force - Prescription Drug Drop Box
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