Tribal members, law enforcement officials get involved in ‘Taking Back Our Communities’

By Tim Wohlers



Substance abuse presents a real problem in the community.  To combat that problem, the HCN Family Services Program sponsored the annual “Taking Back Our Communities” drug forum at the Lunda Theater in Black River Falls at the end of last month. 
“The main purpose of this program is to bring awareness to what’s going on in our community,” said Family Services Program Manager Tena Quackenbush.  “We’re bringing awareness to the drug epidemic.” 
The program came to the Ho-Chunk community years ago, in order to address a gang called the “Llama Mafia.”  The gang consisted of several young girls from the Ho-Chunk Nation.  Although the gang has since been eradicated, the awareness programs still continues today. 
“We want to continue servicing the Nation,” said Substance Abuse Counselor Hera Lonetree-Rindahl.  “We want the communities that we live in to remain sober.” 
The annual gathering helps to educate concerned citizens about substance abuse, and possible prevention methods.  So every year, community members sit and listen to presentations given by law enforcement officials on important issues facing their community.   
“It’s all of us working together,” said Officer Tom Cooper of the Black River Falls Police Dept.  “We react.” 
And everyone has been getting involved in the effort.  Several tribal members even attended the meeting, including City Councilman Curtis Redbird. 
“This is an issue,” Redbird said.  “This is something that has to be taken seriously by everybody.” 
In addition to law enforcement officials, Laura Runchey, a representative from the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) contributed to the discussion.  She educated participants about various ways to reduce the spread of disease and limit the number of deaths caused by intravenous drug use. 
“We want to make sure that we’re empowering the community,” Runchey said.  “That’s the main goal.” 
Without a doubt, the health advocate achieved her goal.  For everybody left the meeting more knowledgeable than before.  Because of that, those involved in the program deemed the night a success. 
“The presentation was amazing,” Quackenbush said.  “It was really good.” 
But to say the program has been “good” is an understatement.  Each year, thousands of lives are being saved thanks to the efforts of “Taking Back Our Communities.”  So for the sake of future generations, the program will continue as long as possible. 
“We want to see our next generation being able to stay sober and not using any substances to escape reality,” Lonetree-Rindahl said.  “So if you have a drug problem, if you have a mental health issue, we are here to help you.” 


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