Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By Darryl Enriquez Special to The Freeman WAUKESHA – Joe Much- ka, as the new executive director of the Addiction Resource Council, sees the need for increased and coor- dinated prevention as well as outreach services as alco- hol and drug abuse contin- ues to climb in Waukesha County. Especially challenging for the council and other agen- cies devoted to prevention is the growing concern throughout the county about increased heroin use and the prescription drug abuse that usually precedes it. The nonprofit agency is being called upon to help stem the tide of heroin over- dose deaths as well as other alcohol and drug abuse. THE FREEMAN: Why is heroin so highly addictive and what can be done to slow down the spread of its use? JOE MUCHKA: All opi- ates have the risk of devel- oping addiction because of the chemical effect they have on the brain's pleasure and pain center. We avoid pain and seek pleasure. Most people are first intro- duced to opiates when they're prescribed for pain relief. Some of the more common forms are hydrocodone, OxyContin and Vicodin. If used as prescribed for short periods of time, gen- erally addiction or depen- dence does not occur. How- ever, if more is obtained and used than legitimately prescribed by a doctor, the body can quickly become dependent, reinforcing the desire for more. Heroin is a less expensive substitute for prescription medications sold illegally and is readily available "on the street." Once someone is addicted or dependent upon prescrip- tion medications and the addicted person can no longer afford to purchase them illegally, heroin becomes the drug of choice in many cases. Slowing down the spread of heroin abuse is a compli- cated and difficult process. It requires increased public awareness, strong preven- tion and education efforts among agencies and organi- zations like ours, ongoing efforts through law enforce- ment and courts and long- term treatment options for the addicted and their fami- lies. It also means involving medical providers, the busi- ness community and appro- priate legislation that sup- ports all of these efforts. FREEMAN: Where can parents and others go for advice if they fear a child or acquaintance are abus- ing drugs, such as heroin, or alcohol? MUCHKA: Talk to your child's doctor for medical advice and an appropriate referral to substance abuse treatment in the area. Seek the advice and counsel of treatment providers at local hospitals and in the commu- nity. Consult with Waukesha County's Health and Human Services Department and the Public Health Depart- ment, as well as prevention organizations like the Addiction Resource Coun- cil, Inc., Waukesha County Drug Free Coalition, Your Choice (Hartland) and the Elmbrook Community Health Coalition. Visit helpful websites for more information: NCADD.org, NIDA.org, SAMHSA.org, AAMilwau- kee.org, NAMI.org as well as our own website: addiction- resourcecouncilwauke- shawi.org. FREEMAN: What is the role of the Addiction Resource Council? MUCHKA: Our mission in the community is to provide help, hope and support to those persons and their fam- ilies who are struggling with alcoholism and other drug abuse, as well as col- laborate with other similar agencies and organizations in Waukesha County as a part of that effort. Page 6B • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove MARCH 2014 D D S Practicing general dentistry in Wauwatosa for 17 years. 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HAPPY HOUR "THE EARLIER THE BETTER" $!ƫ.ƫ0ƫ((#1!.Ě/ƫƫħƫƫ+* 5ġ.% 5 ă,)ġą,)ƫĸăƫ,,!0%6!./Čƫą,)ġĆ,)ƫĸąƫ,,!0%6!./Čƫ Ć,)ġć,)ƫĸĆƫ,,!0%6!./ All-You-Can-Eat FRIDAY FISH FRY LUNCH AND DINNER! By Darryl J. Enriquez Special to The Freeman WAUKESHA – ProHealth Care and Indiana University Health announced a partner- ship in a new cardiothoracic surgery program for Pro- Health patients. "It's a core service for us, and we choose to bring a world class cardiothoracic surgical program to Pro- Health, for patients of Pro- Health," Susan Edwards, chief executive officer of the medical care group, said at the announcement. "This is a way we can deliver real value for our patients." When asked when the program would launch, Edwards said: "We are absolutely ready to go." IU Health has one of the country's largest cardiotho- racic surgery programs, performing more than 1,900 surgeries each year, accord- ing to a news release. The Indiana surgical team cares for patients facing the most critical medical conditions and the most complicated heart, lung and vascular procedures. "IU Health has one of the largest health groups in Indiana and they provide cardiothoracic care throughout Indiana," Edwards said. "They have the experience of setting up the program in seven or eight organizations that are similar to ProHealth." Physicians and staff of ProHealth and IU Health are employing the clinical protocols, care pathways and quality metrics that are the foundation of IU Health's program, the release says. ProHealth's heart surgery program is one of the state's busiest, with more than 400 cardiotho- racic surgeries performed at Waukesha Memorial Hos- pital every year, according to hospital statistics. "We are enthusiastic about our new partnership with ProHealth Care," Dr. Arthur Coffey, medical director of cardiovascular surgery at IU Health, said. "By combining our knowl- edge and expertise with Pro- Health's many strengths, we will achieve great things for patients in Wisconsin. "Essentially, we will com- bine all of our knowledge and experience with Pro- Health Care's expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients." IU Health and ProHealth have added new technology to Waukesha Memorial Hos- pital that includes tran- scatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, a minimally invasive proce- dure that can benefit some high-risk patients who suf- fer from a narrowing of the aortic valve opening, as well as Maze surgery for treat- ment of atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat, the release says. Edwards said ProHealth conducted a nationwide search last year for a cardio- thoracic surgery partner. It received 20 responses, nar- rowed the field to four and chose IU Health, she said. "It's an outstanding pro- gram that brings our heart program to a new level," Edwards said. Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Joe Muchka, executive director of the Addiction Resource Council, in his office. At a glance Who: Joe Muchka What: Executive director of Addiction Resource Council, Inc., 741 N. Grand Ave., Waukesha Education: Master's degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater Family: Married, two children. NEWSMAKER Q&A: Addiction Resource Council Executive Director Joe Muchka Help in the fight against addiction Muchka, ARC working with agencies, authorities, families to beat scourge of drugs ProHealth Care partnering with Indiana University for new cardio surgery program

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