In late 2021, following a pandemic-related pause, the Waukesha County Heroin Task Force (HTF) relaunched its work using a comprehensive, collaborative approach to engage the community in efforts to reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic in Waukesha County.
The new approach has moved the Heroin Task Force away from its prior model of continuous efforts, categorized under Pillars, to a more nimble model of Action Teams where community stakeholders work synergistically on initiatives that can be accomplished in a calendar year.
Following an environmental scan on the county’s opioid epidemic, four priority areas emerged for which Action Teams were created: Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment & Recovery, and Data & Reporting. Passionate community partners battle the opioid crisis through Action Teams work. Monthly progress reports to the Heroin Task Force Steering Team help ensure continued momentum. Read the June 2022 HTF Action Teams summary report here. Individuals who have interest in the work of an Action Team are welcome to join a team at any time during the year.
Quarterly virtual meetings are open to the 200+ community partners for shared-learning opportunities, networking, and engagement.
Guest speakers addressing the HTF community partners membership:
December 2022
- Philip Chard, Psychotherapist, Columnist, Author, Out of My Mind, LLC
June 2022
- Marjorie Liu, Program Lead for the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
- Braxton Brown, Program Analyst for the Wisconsin Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
March 2022
- Paige Andrews, Wisconsin Overdose Response Strategy Public Health Analyst (North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area-HIDTA)
- Shaun Doyne, Wisconsin Overdose Response Strategy Drug Intelligence Officer (North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area-HIDTA)
December 2021
- Kristine Klenz, Waukesha County Deputy Medical Examiner
- Captain Tony Kasta, Waukesha County Metro Drug Unit
September 2021
- Paul Krupski, Director of Opioid Initiatives, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Interested in learning more about the community coalition of the Waukesha County Heroin Task Force or joining the email distribution list? Email Tristin Bruno.
A dedicated Waukesha County Heroin Task Force website is in the works to launch in Q3 2022. Stay tuned.
