Substance abuse and opioid overdose continue to be a major area of concern around the country with more than 130 deaths every day as a result of opioid overdoses. As such is a top concern for Public Health officials across the country and here in Polk County as well.
To combat this Polk County Public Health will apply for a federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) aimed at preventing and reducing youth alcohol use says, director Sarah Reese. “Polk County along with our Polk County Wellness Coalition has been working on substance abuse prevention including an opioid workgroup for the last several years,” said Reese. “There is a federal funding opportunity from SAMSHA called the Strategic Prevention Framework-Partnerships for Success. What it focuses is on is preventing the onset and reducing alcohol use by youth. Then you can also pick two other substance abuse priorities depending on our data.”
Public Health will also be reworking two positions after receiving approval to change the full-time employment (FTE) status on a Wellness Coordinator and a Public Health Nurse position. The Wellness Coordinator will be reduced from a 1.0 to a .49 (19 hours per week), while the Public Health Nurse will increase from a .49 to a .8 FTE. Overall the change amounts to going from 1.49 FTE to 1.29 and will have an $18,378.58 reduction in salary and benefit expenses.
Public Health also received donations from three local organizations for their February Fitness Fever Events explains Reese. “Each year we provide February Fitness Fever on Sunday’s,” said Reese. “The commissioners passed a resolution to accept donations from local partners. We’re very thankful for our local partners, volunteers, and groups that support Polk County Fitness Fever. The donations were $100 from Crookston Noon Day Lions, $50 from the Crookston Rotary Club and $50 from Sisters in Spirit.”
University of Minnesota Crookston Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause has also been appointed to serve as the Polk County Community Representative on the Polk-Norman-Mahnomen Community Health Board.
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