August 9, 2017 at 4:26 p.m.
Vilas health officials continue to discuss drug epidemic
Vilas health officials continue to discuss drug epidemic
By By Abbey McEnroe-
Committee chairman Erv Teichmiller began the conversation by asking if anyone had any updates on the state of drug use in Vilas County.
"We spend a lot of time talking about it, thinking about it, hearing presentations; anything else new happening?" Teichmiller asked.
After recapping Governor Walker's recent opioid abuse task force meeting in Minocqua, the board moved into the topic of prevention.
"One of the big issues is that I think we're slow in helping people to prevention," member Alden Bauman stated.
"What the state needs to do is commit a couple million dollars and keep it in the budget for a long time," Teichmiller agreed. "There are evidence-based programs in prevention that work and there are activities and ways to engage young people that work, that keep them away from the use of drugs."
Teichmiller then asked advisory member and Lac du Flambeau tribal health director Randy Samuelson what the clinic was doing about prescriptions.
Samuelson said the clinic has engaged in a prescription drug monitoring program and has enhanced the controlled substance policy adopted by the Tribal Council.
He went on to explain what the controlled substance policy entails.
"It basically states that if you are on or you're going to be treated for chronic or long-term pain you have to meet these criteria and it does include signing off on that you allow us to talk with other providers, that you agree to a random drug test ... because if you're being prescribed and not taking, so there's that piece," Samuelson explained. "Then there's a 30-day taper process that we go through because the one thought ... if you take people off a controlled substance or medication there's some problems it would cause people medically."
Samuelson went on to suggest substance abuse and mental health are connected.
"The other thing, and this is just my two cents, I don't have any statistics on it to back it up, (but) I have a sense that addiction and mental health many times can go hand-in-hand," Samuelson suggested.
Samuelson is correct in his assumption and what he is referring to is called "dual diagnosis."
Dual diagnosis "is a term for when someone experiences a mental illness and a substance abuse problem simultaneously," according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
"About a third of all people experience mental illnesses and about half of people living with severe mental illnesses also experience substance abuse," according to NAMI.
Member Carolyn Ritter added that poverty might also lead people to abuse substances.
"Another part of the mental health issue, which is huge, is poverty because when you're living in poverty you don't have that sense of security," Ritter expressed.
According to NAMI, those with a higher risk of dual diagnosis include individuals of a lower socioeconomic status.
Teichmiller wrapped up the conversation shortly after Ritter's comments and thanked everyone for participating.
The committee also
• Authorized Andrea Martin to take a full time, salaried position as a Public Health Dental Hygienist Coordinator Position. Martin was previously working about 3/4 time.
Abbey McEnroe may be reached via email at [email protected].
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