Upcoming Events
International Overdose Awareness Day
August 31, 2024
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), held each year on August 31st, is the world’s
largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge
the grief of the family and friends left behind. The campaign spreads the message about the
tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.
Overdose touches people and communities in many ways. Lives are altered by overdose from
family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare and support services
extending strength and compassion; or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the
role of life saver. Overdose Awareness Day raises an awareness of the hidden impact of
overdose, promoting education of overdose response and reaching out.
One in 7 Americans reports experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD). According to the
National Conference of State Legislatures, “Every day, more than 100 people die from drug
overdoses.” There is not one single driving factor that leads to addiction. Some people may use
drugs to help cope with stress, trauma, or to help with mental health issues. Some may develop
opioid use disorder after misusing opioids they are prescribed by doctors.
Recognizing an overdose can be difficult. If you aren’t sure, it is best to treat the situation like
an overdose—you could save a life. Call 911 immediately. Administer naloxone, if it’s available.
Naloxone can reverse an overdose from opioids. Often given as a nasal spray, naloxone is safe
and easy to use. Do not leave the person alone. Signs of an overdose may include: small,
constricted “pinpoint pupils”; falling asleep or loss of consciousness; slow, weak, or no
breathing; choking or gurgling sounds; limp body; cold and/or clammy skin; discolored skin
(especially in lips and nails).
Addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. Overcoming a SUD is not as simple as resisting the
temptation to take drugs through willpower alone. Recovery may involve medication to help
with cravings and withdrawal as well as different forms of therapy. Finding the right treatment
option can be the key to a successful recovery journey.
The Monroe County Safe Community Coalition will be recognizing International Overdose
Awareness Day in a variety of ways. The 2024 Monroe County theme is: “Together we can”,
which highlights the power of our community when we all stand together. Purple flags (the
color for overdose awareness) will be placed at Gillett Park in Tomah, WI and at the courthouse
lawn in Sparta, WI on August 31st and through September for Overdose Awareness Day and
Recovery Awareness Month. Each location will have 120 purple flags which represents the
number of overdose deaths in Wisconsin in one month. If you would like to write a name on a
flag in the memory of someone you have lost to an overdose, you can email the name to
[email protected] or stop by for the event in Sparta on August 31st from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
During the event there will be booths available that support recovery in our community. Booths
will be provided by: Monroe County Safe Community Coalition, Next Steps for Change, Life
Choice Connections, Rock Garden, Department of Health, and the Mental Health Coalition.
Information will be provided on Harm Reduction, Proper Disposal of Medications, and more!
Narcan and Fentanyl test strips will also be available.
“I have wanted to create an event that would bring an awareness to what the excessive use of
drugs is doing in our communities and how beautiful, young people are dying every day from
drug overdoses. I lost my son in 2016 from a heroin/fentanyl overdose at 17 years old. I do not
want to see anyone else lose a loved one to drugs.” Lisa McCormick, Chair-Monroe County Safe
Community Coalition.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/awareness/ioad.html
https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/stigma/index.html
August 31, 2024
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), held each year on August 31st, is the world’s
largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died, and acknowledge
the grief of the family and friends left behind. The campaign spreads the message about the
tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.
Overdose touches people and communities in many ways. Lives are altered by overdose from
family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one; workers in healthcare and support services
extending strength and compassion; or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the
role of life saver. Overdose Awareness Day raises an awareness of the hidden impact of
overdose, promoting education of overdose response and reaching out.
One in 7 Americans reports experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD). According to the
National Conference of State Legislatures, “Every day, more than 100 people die from drug
overdoses.” There is not one single driving factor that leads to addiction. Some people may use
drugs to help cope with stress, trauma, or to help with mental health issues. Some may develop
opioid use disorder after misusing opioids they are prescribed by doctors.
Recognizing an overdose can be difficult. If you aren’t sure, it is best to treat the situation like
an overdose—you could save a life. Call 911 immediately. Administer naloxone, if it’s available.
Naloxone can reverse an overdose from opioids. Often given as a nasal spray, naloxone is safe
and easy to use. Do not leave the person alone. Signs of an overdose may include: small,
constricted “pinpoint pupils”; falling asleep or loss of consciousness; slow, weak, or no
breathing; choking or gurgling sounds; limp body; cold and/or clammy skin; discolored skin
(especially in lips and nails).
Addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. Overcoming a SUD is not as simple as resisting the
temptation to take drugs through willpower alone. Recovery may involve medication to help
with cravings and withdrawal as well as different forms of therapy. Finding the right treatment
option can be the key to a successful recovery journey.
The Monroe County Safe Community Coalition will be recognizing International Overdose
Awareness Day in a variety of ways. The 2024 Monroe County theme is: “Together we can”,
which highlights the power of our community when we all stand together. Purple flags (the
color for overdose awareness) will be placed at Gillett Park in Tomah, WI and at the courthouse
lawn in Sparta, WI on August 31st and through September for Overdose Awareness Day and
Recovery Awareness Month. Each location will have 120 purple flags which represents the
number of overdose deaths in Wisconsin in one month. If you would like to write a name on a
flag in the memory of someone you have lost to an overdose, you can email the name to
[email protected] or stop by for the event in Sparta on August 31st from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
During the event there will be booths available that support recovery in our community. Booths
will be provided by: Monroe County Safe Community Coalition, Next Steps for Change, Life
Choice Connections, Rock Garden, Department of Health, and the Mental Health Coalition.
Information will be provided on Harm Reduction, Proper Disposal of Medications, and more!
Narcan and Fentanyl test strips will also be available.
“I have wanted to create an event that would bring an awareness to what the excessive use of
drugs is doing in our communities and how beautiful, young people are dying every day from
drug overdoses. I lost my son in 2016 from a heroin/fentanyl overdose at 17 years old. I do not
want to see anyone else lose a loved one to drugs.” Lisa McCormick, Chair-Monroe County Safe
Community Coalition.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/awareness/ioad.html
https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/stigma/index.html
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Wake Up Call Room
Upcoming Presentations
Date Location Time
August 14, 2024 Tomah Middle School 11 am – 5 pm
August 14, 2024 Cashton High School 5 – 7 pm
August 21, 2024 Sparta Middle School 9 am – 5 pm
August 21, 2024 Tomah High School 12 – 6 pm
August 21, 2024 Sparta High School 6 – 8 pm
Date Location Time
August 14, 2024 Tomah Middle School 11 am – 5 pm
August 14, 2024 Cashton High School 5 – 7 pm
August 21, 2024 Sparta Middle School 9 am – 5 pm
August 21, 2024 Tomah High School 12 – 6 pm
August 21, 2024 Sparta High School 6 – 8 pm
MCSCC Meeting Schedule 2024
|
Month
September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024 |
Meeting Location
Tomah Sparta Tomah- with Traffic Safety No Meeting |
When: The second Tuesday of the month at 9 am.
Where: Sparta or Tomah
Mayo Conference Room, basement, Mayo Health System-Franciscan Healthcare Hospital, Sparta
Emergency Services Building, 400 N Glendale Ave., Tomah
Virtually by Teams or Go To Meeting depending on location
How to Connect: Send an email to [email protected] to receive an agenda and meeting details.
Where: Sparta or Tomah
Mayo Conference Room, basement, Mayo Health System-Franciscan Healthcare Hospital, Sparta
Emergency Services Building, 400 N Glendale Ave., Tomah
Virtually by Teams or Go To Meeting depending on location
How to Connect: Send an email to [email protected] to receive an agenda and meeting details.
