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November 23, 2015
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ISSUE 5-24
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We thank you for reading this edition of the Prevention Journal! As always, please keep us informed of your coming events, job opportunities, grant availability, and other activities. Your ideas and feedback are welcomed.
Yours in prevention,
Kari Lerch
Deputy Director, Public Policy Institute
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Milwaukee unites in fight against overdose deaths
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Empty chairs representing the 251 lives lost to overdose deaths in Milwaukee County last year - 220 of which were opiate/heroin related. Photo from press conference held to promote awareness on Nov. 12th.
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Milwaukee County has experienced a 97 percent increase in overdose deaths since 2009. On November 16th, Milwaukeeans joined together to learn more about and discuss the the impact of heroin and opiate use in Milwaukee County, which is a leading factor in may of these overdose cases. Concerned community members, political leaders, representatives from community based organizations, recovering addicts and family members of recovering addicts filled the Italian Community Center to address the issue.
County Executive Chris Abele and City of Milwaukee Alderman Murphy kicked off the event, speaking about their commitment and government support, followed by Patricia Daugherty, Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office; Special Agent Bodo Gajevic, Wisconsin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency, Heroin Initiative Task Force; Dr. Michael McNett, Milwaukee Medical Society.
Special Agent Bob Gajevic stressed that this issue is huge and that we can't be in denial because it is everywhere. He said, "there is more heroin in Milwaukee today than crack cocaine in the 80's. It's going to be a ongoing battle but together we can do it!"
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New proposed rule to make all U.S. public housing smoke-free
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On November12th, Julian Castro, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that HUD has issued a proposed rule to require Public Housing Authorities to implement smoke-free policies in all public housing properties in order to protect the health and safety of all residents. According to HUD, making all public housing smoke-free would:
- Reduce secondhand smoke exposure and improve the health of 760,000 children living in public housing
- Produce annual cost savings of $153 million, including $94 million in secondhand smoke related health care, $43 million in renovation of units with smoking damage, and $16 million in smoke-attributable fire losses.
The proposed rule is open for public comment for 60 days. HUD encourages comments and they can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking portal.
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Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP) Coalition launches "Let's Be Blunt" campaign
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In the summer of 2015, the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition hosted a contest to engage local youth in developing ideas about the most effective ways to reach their peers and messaging that would resonate with teens. The Let's Be Blunt anti-marijuana messages and imagery were developed by Milwaukee teens for Milwaukee teens. The winning images will be displayed on Milwaukee buses and social media.
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Honor our veterans by helping them quit tobacco!
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Veteran's Day was Wednesday, November 11 - a day to give thanks for the soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect the freedom that most of us take for granted. These brave men and women have sacrificed so much for our safety, and now we can help them beat an opponent that's taken the lives of too many veterans: tobacco addiction.
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Residents of inner city neighborhoods see more than their share of costly municipal citations
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Despite the rampant poverty that grips Milwaukee's inner city, citations that carry a relatively hefty fine are one of the city's methods of choice to punish offenders for non-criminal infractions.
For instance, a disorderly conduct citation carries a fine of at least $200, which could amount to two-thirds of a weekly pay check for an individual who earns $7.25 an hour, the minimum wage for a full-time job. Defendants who are found guilty must pay a fine or face a suspended driver's license or jail time.
Findings from this Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service special report indicate that residents of Milwaukee's most impoverished neighborhoods receive more than their share of municipal citations. They also are much more likely to go to court without a lawyer. Only 8 percent of cases without an attorney were dismissed between 2011 and 2014, while 57 percent involving an attorney were successfully defended.
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