A regional conference designed for substance use disorder treatment and recovery is going virtual this year.
The HOPE Consortium formed in 2015 to focus on growing opioid use in northern Wisconsin. Three years ago it expanded to include methamphetamine use. A new state grant was given this year and the organization also expanded to central Wisconsin.
Danielle Luther is Project Manager at Family Health Center of Marshfield and coordinator for the event.
She says the annual conference has been held in Lac du Flambeau and Rhinelander, but due to coronavirus, is being held August 6 & 7 online... Luther says they have top keynote speakers..
"We will have the Attorney General for the state of Wisconsin who will be talking about what the (state) Department of Justice is doing related to opioids and meth..."
Besides Josh Kaul, a separate discussion on treating meth in the wake of opioids, and Dane County Circuit Judge Everett Mitchell who will discuss the juvenile to adult prison pipeline affected by substance use.
Several other presenters are scheduled including a session on how women and babies are affected.
Luther says the meeting is designed as education for treatment and recovery service providers, criminal justice partners, human services, prevention professionals, and community and tribal leaders.
Registration and more information is athopeconsortium.org
