Pubdate: Sat, 26 Apr 2014
Source: Journal Times, The (Racine, WI)
Copyright: 2014 The Journal Times
Contact:  http://www.journaltimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1659
Author: Michael Burke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?132 (Heroin Overdose)

GROUP AIMS AT YOUTH DRUG ABUSE

WATERFORD - A group called iCare that formed last year in response to 
youth heroin deaths and suicides now wants to take the next step.

One of iCare's major goals this year is to help start a support 
program in the Waterford area - called the Landing - for teen drug 
and alcohol abuse problems.

Cindi Schweitzer, co-owner of Integrity Funeral Services, 29134 
Evergreen Drive, Rochester, became a founding member of iCare and is 
its present chairwoman.

She said iCare "started last year because we were burying children 
from overdoses. Families were just so broken, and it's like the 
community is paralyzed when that happens."

According to the Racine County Medical Examiner's Office, heroin 
contributed to 11 deaths in 2013.

Schweitzer, who is energetic about getting the Landing going, said, 
"Yeah, I'm a funeral home (owner), but that's not how I want to make 
my profits.

"This year, we have just seen so much heroin," she said. "It seems 
there is (an overdose) on about a monthly basis."

The Landing is a Christ-centered program related to one called 
Celebrate Recovery but for youths, explained Schweitzer. The Landing 
is a support program that she said will be useful for teens who have 
already gone through rehab therapy.

"The nice thing is: (The Landing) is also for codependents, so 
siblings and parents can participate," she said.

The Landing is a structured, 52-week program, said Cindylee Mooney, 
who is also involved with iCare and one of the leaders with Celebrate Recovery.

"I pushed really hard, like (Schweitzer), to get a youth-based 
program because we have nothing here," Mooney said.

Mooney said she went through Celebrate Recovery herself.

"My husband committed suicide and left me with five children" 11 
years ago, she said. "... Alcohol was my Band-Aid before Celebrate Recovery."

But treatment and support programs cost money, Schweitzer said. The 
Landing requires books, and iCare has organized a Color Run/Walk on 
May 3 at Whitford Park to help raise money that would help families 
afford the support materials.

The second priority for any money iCare raises next week will be to 
help law enforcement afford educational resources. An example might 
be a high-powered speaker for the Racine County Sheriff's Office's 
three upcoming summits on heroin and opiate abuse.

Schweitzer also said iCare would like to provide scholarships for 
drug rehab because "Treatment centers are very, very expensive."

The Landing will be run in cooperation with Fox River Christian 
Church, 238 E. Main St.; and Community United Methodist Church, 455. 
S. Jefferson St., Schweitzer and Mooney said.

For more information about iCare or the Color Run/Walk, visit

www.icare-local.org .

If You Go

What: ICare Color Run/Walk

When: Saturday, May 3. Registration at 7 a.m., run begins at 8 a.m.

Where: Whitford Park, 625 N. River Road, Waterford

Website: www.icare-local.org
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom