Healthy Minds for Lincoln County will be hosting an event to help the public learn more about safely and effectively using prescription pain medicines on Monday, Dec. 17 from 5:45-7:30 p.m. in the T.B. Scott Library Community Room. Participants will also learn about the signs and symptoms of an overdose, rescue breathing and how to administer naloxone.
Dr. Robert Sedlacek will be presenting Let’s Talk About Pain Medicines, a free 90-minute educational program developed by Wisconsin Health Literacy to help adults obtain a better understanding of how to more safely and effectively use prescription pain (opioid) medicine.
Program topics include:
•The differences between prescription opioids and other pain medicines
•Safe storage of opioid medicine to help prevent others from finding and using them
•What to do with unused opioid medicine
•Understanding of label directions (when and how long to take the medicine)
•The importance of understanding warning labels
•When to call the pharmacist or doctor
Following this presentation, Carley Zartner, CHES with the Aids Resource Center of WI will be providing a free program on the signs and symptoms of an overdose, rescue breathing, and how to administer naloxone.
Each participant will be provided with a workbook and fact sheets to take home, plus everyone gets a free pillbox organizer and lock box for safe storage of medications. Participants will also receive two doses of naloxone.
Pre-registration is requested by Wednesday, Dec. 12 to assure we have sufficient program materials. Please contact Debbie Moellendorf, UW-Extension Lincoln County by email [email protected] or via phone (715) 539-1077 to reserve your spot today. Space is limited.
Robert Sedlacek M.D. is a board certified family physician who works for Ascension Medical Group here in Merrill. He received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois, and completed his residency with the Rush-Copley family medicine residency program in Aurora, Illinois. He has worked for Ascension at the clinic and hospital in Merrill since 2011. He has commitment to providing holistic care that is taking care of the whole person body, mind, soul, and society. Because of this commitment, his practice has taken a special interest in managing chronic pain and helping patients to overcome the barriers that pain creates. He is a member of the American Academy family physicians, the American Medical Association, Wisconsin Medical Society, and is a current board member of the Wisconsin Academy of family physicians. When he is not helping patients, he enjoys spending time with his wife and pets, practicing yoga, reading science fiction and world history, traveling, and cooking.
Carley Zartner received a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Since graduating, she received her Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification. Carley has worked with the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin for over three and a half years. She continues to do this amazing work revolving around harm reduction because she sees the true need in her community on a daily basis, and feels humbled to be able to offer these detrimental services.
This project is supported by an educational grant from the Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation and Wisconsin Department of Health Services State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis grant. Local sponsors include Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital, the Healthy Minds for Lincoln County Coalition (newly merged Lincoln County Drug Free Coalition and Lincoln County Mental Health Coalition), Lincoln County Health Department and UW-Extension Lincoln County.