The M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF) is extending an invitation to community members across Marinette and Menominee Counties to participate in the Safeguarding Our Communities program training. It will take place at noon on Tuesday, June 8th, and will last approximately one hour. It provides an overview of opioids, suggests actions to address problems, demonstrates how to administer Narcan and highlights the Syringe Service Programs run by local Public Health departments. Those attending this training will be eligible to receive a free Personal Medication Lock Box, as well as Narcan treatments from the Community Foundation.
Participation includes in-person training at the Community Room in Bridgeview Apartments located in Menominee (lunch will be available, compliments of the MMACF). Or, people may participate remotely (virtually) via the Community Foundation’s GoToMeeting account. All those who are interested in attending, either in-person or virtually, should register with the Community Foundation. Participation is cost-free.
Recent data shows that Marinette County has an average of 14.8 deaths per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the Wisconsin average of 22.4 per 100,000. However, Menominee County averages 36.8 overdose deaths per 100,000, which is well above the Michigan average of 26.9. Menominee County has the highest overdose death rate in all the counties reported in the Upper Peninsula.
In response to local concerns, in November of 2020 the Community Foundation applied for and received a $60,000 Harm Reduction Project grant. The funding was provided by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan in collaboration with Vital Strategies, a global public health organization.
“The opioid crisis has ravaged people, families and communities across our country and Marinette and Menominee Counties are no different. The first step to dealing with this crisis is to understand the depth of the problem,” said Dr. Guy Powers, Marinette County Psychiatrist. “Education on this topic is vitally important.”
To register for the training, community members should contact the Foundation at 906-864-3599 or paula.gruszynski@mmacf.org.
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