Project Purpose:

 Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior will partner the La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium (LMHSC) and the Injury Research Center (IRC) at the Medical College of Wisconsin to create a county-wide infrastructure to develop a long-term strategic plan aimed at reducing injuries resulting from at-risk alcohol use and abuse among 12-24 year olds living in the County of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

 This project will: 

• Convene a county-wide Alcohol and Injury Risk Reduction Community Coalition
• Complete a Burden of Alcohol Use and Injury Report for La Crosse County
• Compile an assets inventory of community-based alcohol prevention, treatment and policy resources in La Crosse County
• Develop an evidence-based strategic plan for long-term reduction of alcohol-related injuries among 12-24 year olds in La Crosse County.

 This project is funded by the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program, a component of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin endowment at the Medical College of Wisconsin. 

The LMHSC is comprised of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Viterbo University, Western Technical College, Gundersen Lutheran Medical System, and Franciscan Skemp (Mayo Health System).  Additional community partners include Coulee Council on Addictions, CESA #4, County of La Crosse Health & Human Service Departments. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

 Isn’t this a duplication of efforts already ongoing in La Crosse (for example the Mayor’s Task Force)?

 There are many important ongoing efforts in our community to tackle alcohol-related injury.  None of these efforts should stop.  There is no one solution or single policy to reduce this burden.   

What makes this project unique?

•  It is county-wide

• Partners prominent community health and education organizations with the injury expertise of the Injury Research Center at the Medical college of Wisconsin

• Will result in a comprehensive understanding of both the problem (Burden report) and resources/assets currently available in the community (Assets inventory)

• Convenes a task force and resulting strategic plan that will  be inclusive of all community members who want to participate

• Will offer evidence-based (proven) strategies for programs, policies and interventions in our community  

Why do this?  Why do we need more research on this issue?  – let’s do something. 

Organizations currently working in this area shouldn’t stop what they are doing.  Alcohol-related injury is a complex problem.  This project will allow us to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the problem (Burden report) and resources/assets currently available in the community (Assets inventory).  By understanding the nature of where and how alcohol-related injuries occur in our community, the Community Coalition will develop a strategic plan that focuses on short and long-term interventions/programs that are evidence-based (proven to work).  Only through gathering information through some basic ground work can we implement proven solutions in our community.

 The drownings in La Crosse are related to a serial killer not alcohol?

 Regardless of your belief about the tragic drownings in La Crosse, alcohol-related injury encompasses far more than drownings.  Many people in our community are seriously injured or die each year from alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, falls or violence. This project will take a comprehensive look at alcohol-related injury in the county and prepare a report on all injuries resulting from the misuse of alcohol, including drowning.

 Are you going to try to stop people from drinking?

 The focus of this project is to address at-risk alcohol use and abuse in 12-24 year olds and reduce alcohol-related injuries and death.  We do not advocate alcohol use among those under age 21.

 How would you implement what your study proposes (your strategic plan)?  

Once an evidence-based strategic plan has been developed, there will be opportunities for numerous organizations in the community to implement components of the plan.  The LMHSC and the IRC plan to apply for future grant funding to implement components of the strategic plan.

 For more information about this project please contact:

Project Manager:

Al Bliss

Health Educator, La Crosse County Health Department

300 N 4^th St

La Crosse, WI 54601

608 789-4820

Bliss.al@co.la-crosse.wi.us

 Brenda Rooney, Ph.D.

Medical Director, Community and Preventive Care Services

Gundersen Lutheran

1836 South Avenue

La Crosse, WI 54601

Office: 608.775.2152

Fax: 608.775.5887

blrooney@gundluth.org

Catherine Kolkmeier, Director La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium

1300 Badger Street

Office 3065

La Crosse, WI 54601-1502

(608) 785-5151

kolkmeie.cath@uwlax.edu

Media Spokespersons and Co-chairs:

Pat Ruda, Executive Director

Coulee Council on Addictions

921 West Ave So.

La Crosse, WI 54601

608 784-4177

pruda@charter.net

Tracy Herlitzke

CESA #4

923 E. Garland St

West Salem, WI 54669

608 786-4838

therlitzke@cesa4.k12.wi.us