Drug prevention coalition celebrates 3 years

The Sauk County Partnership for Prevention has hit its third birthday.

The coalition works to prevent the dangerous use of drugs and encourages the community to pursue healthy lifestyles. It focuses on youth alcohol use, youth vaping and prescription drug misuse in youth and adults.

Its efforts include helping local officials update clean air ordinances in Reedsburg and Baraboo, as well as providing education on pain relief alternatives to prescription medications. In another effort, the coalition gave out more than 900 free lock boxes to help people safely store their medicines. Let’s Talk Drugs gatherings have also informed parents and other adults about substance abuse and kids. The meetings drew around 450 people.

“There is so much we can do to prevent drug misuse in our community,” says Ulli Gruenberg, who serves as the volunteer chairperson for the coalition. Gruenberg is also a recovery coach and parent of a teenager. “Youth and adults who use drugs are often medicating their pain. It starts with this awareness and compassion for one another. Education is important, but it doesn’t end there. We can all contribute to change our community to make it easier for people to live healthier lives, to say yes to life.”

The coalition has members from schools, health care, law enforcement, nonprofits, businesses, parents, residents and substance use disorder treatment programs.

Despite the pandemic, the coalition remains active. It has met virtually every month. Meetings are open to the public.

Sauk County Public Health facilitates the program.

The coalition’s founder and facilitator, Sara Jesse, said the coalition does a great deal of good in the area.

“In these tough times, it’s so important to keep a focus on the positive changes our community can make to become healthier,” said Jesse, who is also a community health strategist for Sauk County Public Health.

For more information, visit www.P4PSauk.org.