The Milwaukee Post

By DAVE FIDLIN Special to the Post GLENDALE — Statistic after statistic reveals the battle against heroin, opioids and other dangerous drugs rages on, even as public awareness campaigns and related efforts are becoming commonplace. A panel of municipal and county lead- ers dug into the issue this week and dis- cussed a range of local and state programs that are underway this year. But a lack of synergy between the different groups has been cited as one potential impediment to the process. Christine Westrich, director of the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, discussed some of the efforts Monday at the February meeting of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council. "There has been a lot of negativity, about what a problem this is, but we're try- ing to overcome that and do something pos- itive," Westrich said. The ICC, whose membership includes the 19 Milwaukee County mayors and vil- lage presidents and County Executive Chris Abele, met this month at Glendale City Hall. Locally, Westrich said there are four organizations or groups hoping to find meaningful solutions to the challenges in curbing the prevalence of deaths linked to opioids, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and other highly addictive drugs. One of the more prominent organiza- tions is the newly formed, 15-member City- County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force, which has the backing of the Milwaukee Common Council. Other coalitions include the Community Opioid Prevention Effort, or COPE, and the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program. Additionally, the state Department of Justice has undertaken some efforts, including promotional billboards that are aimed at putting a spotlight on the issue. ICC members lauded the various groups and said their efforts are needed at a time when drug overdoses have reached epic proportions. According to data from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office, opi- oids, in particular, have been a problem within the county. The number of deaths specifically from an opioids overdose has skyrocketed within the past five years, from 144 incidents in 2012 to 290 in 2016. But several local leaders, including West Milwaukee Village President Ron Hayward, expressed concern the coalitions are not working in tandem with one anoth- er, meaning some efforts are being dupli- cated at a time when resources are direly needed. "They're all after the same cause, but they're not necessarily working together," Hayward said. In response, Westrich, who is overseeing some of the outreach efforts on the govern- ment side, said, "We've identified the same predicament. We are coordinating efforts, although at first blush it might not seem like we are. We're aware of it, and we're trying to get our arms around it." At the meeting, ICC members voted unanimously to appoint St. Francis Mayor CoryAnn St. Marie-Carls as the group's representative on the City-County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force. She cited St. Francis's proximity to Milwaukee in seeking the position. In other business at this week's ICC meeting, the panel: ■ Discussed a new campaign, Do Not Stand Idly By, which is aimed at reducing gun violence, particularly accidental deaths. Members of Common Ground, an advo- cacy group closely intertwined with the campaign, discussed some of the causes it supports, including smart gun technology, which is an emerging technique that only allows the registered user of a firearm to discharge the weapon. The ICC was presented with a draft res- olution, though no formal action was taken at this week's meeting. If adopted, the doc- ument would call on local law enforcement to be trained in the technology. Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi, who proclaimed he owns four guns, said he heartily recommends moving forward with the resolution so accidental deaths do not transpire. "Why not show leadership at this level and see if we can have our local law enforcement get trained in this?" Scaffidi asked his elected colleagues. ■ Heard a report on some of the soon-to- depart ICC members. Three veteran local leaders across the county have indicated they are not seeking re-election when their seats are up. This spring, Hayward and Fox Point Village President Mike West are leaving their posts. Scaffidi has already indicated he will not seek re-election when his seat is up in 2018. "This body is going to be changing," said Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke, who will be the most veteran elected leader once the changes are consummated. He has been mayor since 2005. ■ Heard a report from Hales Corners Village President Robert Ruesch, who dis- cussed the future of the former Kmart site, 5600 S. 108th St., which has been dormant since the ailing retailer shuttered the loca- tion three years ago. Ruesch said Onalaska-based Festival Foods has set in motion plans to redevelop the property and join the crowded Milwaukee grocery market. Festival Foods has a heavy presence in the Fox Cities region and the Racine-Kenosha area. 2 • Milwaukee County Post • February 17, 2017 Volume 23, issue number 7 The Milwaukee Post (ISSN 1544-1776) is published weekly by Conley Media, Milwaukee County 3397 South Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207 For all departments call: 414-744-6370 News display and advertising FAX: 414-375-7070 Classifieds: 800-762-6219 ext. 5005 Classified Fax: 262-334-6252 For display advertising inquires: 414-744-6370 Barry Richards: Advertising Representative — ext. 13 brichards@conleynet.com Julia LeGath: Advertising Representative — ext. 17 jlegath@conleynet.com Jim Baumgart Advertising Sales Director — 262-513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com For editorial questions: Dan Muckelbauer Editor 262-513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Milwaukee Post 3397 S. Howell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 Periodicals Postage Paid at Milwaukee, WI. 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