GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In an effort to challenge the stigma of being called a “drunk city”, September has been declared “Sober Green Bay Campaign” month in Brown County.
County Executive Troy Streckenbach made the proclamation as the misuse and abuse of alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medications continues to plague the community.
The mission of Sober Green Bay is to change the narrative by developing a socially sober-friendly community.
According to Brown County, recent data shows that approximately 8.1% of Wisconsinites have a substance use disorder and in 2019 there was a rate of 19.1 opioid-related emergency room visits per 100,000 residents in Brown County.
Deaths related to substance abuse in Wisconsin have also been increasing over the last decade. The pandemic has led to increased substance abuse across the country, as people have struggled to manage their stress, isolation, boredom, anxiety, depression, relationship and childcare issues, and housing instability.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the costs related to the loss of productivity, health, and crime total more than $740 billion.
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