Film focuses on opioid crisis through first-person account of addiction
For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – Healthy Minds for Lincoln County will host a screening of the documentary film Written Off with a Q&A session to follow on Tuesday, March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. virtually via Zoom.
“Over the last several years, significant strides have been made to combat the opioid crisis,” a release from Healthy Minds stated. “According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, from 2017 to 2019, opioid-related deaths in Wisconsin declined by 1.8%, and opioid-related emergency room visits declined by 16.8%. Although these numbers are encouraging, there are still hundreds and thousands of individuals and families grappling with addiction. More work is needed to prevent addiction, decrease stigma and support individuals in recovery.”
Written Off fights the stigma surrounding addiction by chronicling the life of Matthew Edwards, a young man from northern Wisconsin, whose addiction to opioids began at age 15 after he was prescribed pain medicine for a minor surgery. Through his personal journal writing, he reveals the secrets he tried so hard to conceal throughout a decade long struggle to escape addiction.
“Every day, there’s another story about the opioid epidemic, another overdose, another mug shot,” said filmmaker Molly Hermann, writer, director and co-producer of Written Off. “But these stories often work to reinforce the stigma of addiction instead of humanizing it. Matt didn’t want to do drugs, but he didn’t know how to get out. That struggle is right there in his own words. He chronicled every cubic centimeter and milligram that went into his body and every dollar he shelled out to get more, all as he tried desperately to get clean.”
Community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about addiction and the resources that are available locally to support individuals on their journey toward recovery. Mental health and recovery coaches from Ascension Medical Group, Centre for Well Being Inc., Marshfield Clinic Recovery Corps, and North Central Health Care will be available following the film to answer questions.
There will be limited spaces available to view the film at T.B. Scott Free Library, 106 1st St., Merrill, and Tomahawk Public Library, 300 W. Lincoln Ave., Tomahawk. Interested participants are asked to register by Tuesday, March 16 at www.bit.ly/hmevent3-23 or by calling 715-539-1072. Those who register will receive an email with more details about joining the program after March 16.
For more information, contact UW-Madison Division of Extension Lincoln County at 715-539-1072.
This event is supported by Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital; Marathon County AOD Partnership; Raising Awareness, Racing Against Addiction; Northwoods Coalition; T.B. Scott Library; and Tomahawk Public Library.
Healthy Minds for Lincoln County is a part of Live Well Lincoln, a collaborative that strives to promote partnerships within the community to improve health through advocacy, prevention and implementation of best practices. To learn more about Healthy Minds for Lincoln County, contact Kristin Bath at 715-539-1373 or [email protected] or Debbie Moellendorf at 715-539-1077 or [email protected].