Takeback Youth offers help to those fighting addiction struggles

Therapist Deb Piskoty of Peaceful Solutions Counseling speaks during Thursday's Pushback Against Drug Abuse news conference at the Scout Center on Camp Phillips Road in Weston. / T'xer Zhon Kha/Daily Herald Media

WESTON — The Marathon County Alcohol & Other Drugs Partnership unveiled a new program designed to give information, support and resources to help young people struggling with drug addictions.

The program, called Takeback Youth, and its associated website, www.takebackyouth.org, were introduced at a news conference today by AOD Partnership leaders at the Wausau Homes Scout Center in Weston.

“We are at a pivotal point in our communities,” said Brooke Davis, a board member of the AOD Partnership and a counselor at the Edgar School District. “There is a threat that is tempting and taking our youth — alcohol and drug addiction. This is a disease that does not care about your age, your gender, your race, where you live or how much money you have. When a young person is caught in the web of addiction to alcohol and other drugs, it may seem like there is no way out.


“But there are pathways to recovery, and caregivers can help show them the way by learning more at our new website, takebackyouth.org.”

Other speakers included Becky Bogen, the juvenile intake supervisor with Marathon County Department of Social Services, who highlighted the growing strain of substance abuse on the community and outlined plans for addressing youth substance abuse, and Shannon Young, counselor and principal at Wausau’s Enrich, Excel, Achieve Learning Academy, who spoke about the importance of relationships between youths and adults.

Takeback Youth is made possible with grants provided by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Saint Andrew Lutheran Church and the United Way of Marathon County.

 

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