Prevention and Response Columbia County

11/26/2025

Carrying is an act of care. Not an admission of drug use. An overdose can happen to anyone at any time. Learn where to get naloxone: dhs.wisconsin.gov/aoda/naloxone.htm

11/20/2025

PARCC partners with Wisconsin WINS to conduct to***co compliance checks in Columbia County. These checks ensure that retailers are not selling to***co products to youth!

Thank you to the following retailers in Portage: Dollar General, Discount Liquor, Market Basket, and Discount Smokes for keeping to***co products out of the hands of youth.

11/19/2025

PARCC partners with Wisconsin WINS to conduct to***co compliance checks in Columbia County. These checks ensure that retailers are not selling to***co products to youth!

Thank you to the following retailers in Portage: Walgreens #07732, Walmart #07732, and Festival Foods

11/18/2025

PARCC partners with Wisconsin WINS to conduct to***co compliance checks in Columbia County. These checks ensure that retailers are not selling to***co products to youth!

Thank you to the following Portage retailers: Cascade Quick Mart, Interstate Easy Stop, and Petro Travel Plaza.

11/18/2025

PARCC partners with Wisconsin WINS to conduct to***co compliance checks in Columbia County. These checks ensure that retailers are not selling to***co products to youth!

Thank you to Kwik Trip Stores #653, #683, and #764 in Portage for keeping to***co products out of the hands of youth!

11/11/2025

The PARCC meeting is quickly approaching!

Email from PARCC PARCC MEETING AGENDA Mission: Through collaboration with Columbia County communities, we identify, guide, support, lead, and advocate for prevention and recovery strategies to decreas

11/10/2025

Check out this free Narcan training at Reach Out Lodi happening on Wednesday, November 12, 10 am-10:30 am at Reach Out Lodi 601 Clark Street Lodi, WI

Join LCAT and Reach Out Lodi for a free Narcan training! Learn about the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and how to administer Narcan. You could save a life!

11/03/2025

Saturday, October 25th was National Drug Take-Back Day!
Five locations across Columbia County participated, collecting 211.5 lbs of expired and unused medication!

In addition to these events, permanent drug drop-off boxes across the county collected 498.0 lbs of medication from April through October 2025. That’s a total of 709.5 lbs of expired and unused medications safely disposed of!

A big thank you to our area law enforcement partners for working with us to keep medications out of the hands of youth—and to our community members and residents for helping keep Columbia County safe and healthy!

10/27/2025

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, PARCC hosted a Columbia County Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Summit. We welcomed 27 individuals who represented several organizations, including school districts, law enforcement, mental health professionals, Columbia County staff, Columbia County Board Members, mental health professionals, business owners, local hospital and clinic, non-profit organizations, and citizens.

The group reviewed the 2023 Columbia County YRBS data and trends and brainstormed different ideas to support our youth! Thank you to all those who attended! Thank you for being a champion for the children and youth of Columbia County!

Thank you to the Pardeeville Senior Center for providing this beautiful space!

10/27/2025

Interested in sponsoring a child or family for the holidays? Donations are given to youth and families currently involved with the child welfare and youth justice systems. By donating a new, unwrapped gift, you're not just giving a present-you're giving HOPE, KINDNESS, and the reminder that they MATTER 💞

If interested in sponsoring a child or family, contact Ashley Pikalek, Foster Care Coordinator, 608-742-9283, ashley.pikalek@columbiacountywi.gov

10/09/2025

Today’s wave and shout-out goes to PHS Sophomore Zoey VanderWaal, who has been selected as the recipient of the Leaders of the Next Generation, Outstanding Youth Advocate for Substance Use Prevention, awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services!👋

Sara McChesney, Columbia County's Prevention and Response Coordinator, nominate Zoey for Zoey's work the Kids of Addiction (KOA) group, which Zoey founded and facilitates. KOA serves as a support group for children ages 8-12 who have faced challenges due to addition.

Zoey's award, Outstanding Youth Advocate for Substance Use Prevention, recognizes the contributions of young people across the state in promoting substance use prevention initiatives which help their peers.

Congratulations Zoey! 🎉

Thank you Ms. Peerenboom for sharing this photo and information with us! 📷

🧡 🖤

10/03/2025

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services hosts an annual statewide Substance Use Prevention conference and was seeking nominations for outstanding youth. PARCC nominated Zoey for her exceptional work with the Kids of Addiction (KOA) group, which she founded and facilitates. KOA serves as a support group for children aged 8 to 12 who have faced challenges due to addiction.

Zoey was later selected by the conference committee and received the Leaders of the Next Generation: Outstanding Youth Advocate for Substance Use Prevention award. This award recognizes the remarkable contributions of young individuals across the state in promoting substance use prevention initiatives.