An Urban-Rural Perspective Report

The use of alcohol and drugs is a significant public health problem in the United States. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated that in 2015, 13.1 million American adults had an alcohol use disorder, 5.1 million had an illicit substance use disorder, and an additional 2.7 million had both disorders.

These estimates do not include the millions of people across the country who use alcohol or drugs at lower, but still problematic levels. The economic impact attributable to substance use is staggering. Estimates from 2007 indicate that the consequences arising from alcohol and illicit drug use have cost the nation $223.5 and $193 billion respectively. Much of the expense stems from lost productivity in the labor force, treatment for substance use disorders and their associated health consequences, and alcohol- and drug-related criminal justice activities.

Loss of life is a particularly significant outcome tied to substance use that cannot be measured in dollars. The age-adjusted rate of drug- and alcohol-related deaths has increased by 88% , from 14.0 deaths per 100,000 in 1999 to 26.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2015.

To better address alcohol and other drug use, policymakers need to know what the most commonly used substances are, where in the state these substances are being used, and who is using them. The purpose of this report is to describe variations in drug use and related consequences, as well as the availability of treatment resources in Indiana across the urban-rural continuum.

Our goal is to inform policymakers and planners, prevention and treatment professionals, as well as the general public about the status of substance use, abuse, and treatment opportunities available across differing geographic areas of the state.

Read the full report.

Helping low-income households get connected

The Administration for Children and Families would like to make you aware of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices.

Eligible households may receive:

• Up to $30/month discount on internet service.
• Up to $75/month discount if the household is on qualifying Tribal Lands.
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)

Eligible households can enroll in the ACP through an approved provider or by visiting one of two simple and easy-to-use websites: ACPBeneft.org or GetInternet.gov.

Households with income at or below 200 percent of the poverty level are eligible for the subsidy. Some households are automatically eligible for the ACP, without the need to prove their income, if at least one member of the household is receiving benefits from certain federal programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household. Not all participating internet service providers offer device discounts.

More detailed facts about the overall program can be found on the ACP fact sheet.

Speak to EWSU, CenterPoint Energy, and others.

Have questions about your utility bills or your water and sewer service? Attend the Access to Service Fair tomorrow 5/25/2022 at the C.K. Newsome Community Center from 4 – 8pm.

EWSU and CenterPoint customer service representatives will be there to answer your questions, along with several social service agencies including CAPE and the Salvation Army. Sign up for the new EWSU Bill Relief Program and pick-up a box of food from Feed Evansville. You do not need to have a disconnect notice to attend.

Participating agencies include: Center Township Trustee’s Office, Knight Township Trustee’s Office, Pigeon Township Trustee’s Office, Community Action Program of Evansville, Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul.

The Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) will offer free bus rides for all passengers during and after the events.

Plan To End Homelessness in Evansville

Speakers:
Commission to End Homelessness
Gayl Killough (DMD)

Location:
C.K. Newsome Community Center
Thursday, May 26, 2022
6:30pm – 8:00pm

Looking for free wood chips near you?

ChipDrop finds local tree companies working in your area and notifies them that you would like some wood chips or logs (or both). The next time their truck is full they can pull up your information through our service and deliver the wood chips straight to your driveway, even if you’re at work.

The best way to get fresh, natural arborist wood chips is by flagging down your local arborist when they happen to be working on your block. The second is to use ChipDrop.

ChipDrop lets you place a single request for arborist wood chips. We send it out to all the participating tree companies in your area, giving you a better chance of receiving one sooner. Once you get a delivery, we’ll take you off the list automatically so you don’t get multiple loads. If you do want another load, it’s as easy as logging into your account and placing another request.

We also have a basic quality control process so you at least have some idea of the quality of material you’re going to receive.

Art In The Garden & More

On Sunday June 12th, 2022 from 12:30pm – 3:30pm CT, the Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association will be presenting “Art In The Garden & More” Event.

There will be multiple arts & craft booths, along with food trucks Bruce Li and Lolly’s Pop Bar, and face painting for kids and kids at heart.

Music by The Honey Vines, an acoustic blend of intertwining harmonies with a sweet truth embedded in their own material. The talented duo consists of local singer-songwriters, Andre Wirth and Melanie Bozsa.

Come to our Display Garden, stroll among the beautiful flowers and visit local artists’ booths. Bring the family, your lawn chairs, and enjoy the melodies of the Honey Vines.

FREE Admission and FREE Parking

The Display Garden is located at 3501 E. Lloyd Expressway

Southwestern Indiana Master Gardener Association
www.swimga.org
Visit us on Facebook

Many Voices. One Vision.

The Division of Mental Health and Addiction is pleased to present the annual Indiana Prevention Conference, Many Voices, One Vision, on October 4th and 5th, 2022 at the Indiana Convention Center, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

With funding support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the DMHA aims to convene statewide primary prevention partners to share best practices and programs exemplifying the Strategic Prevention Framework and collaborate to strengthen statewide primary prevention efforts.

Join fellow prevention professionals and advocates for a two day hybrid conference with in-person access at the Indiana Convention Center and virtual access online.

More information is available at INPreventionConference.com

Registration is now open.

Call for Speakers will open June 1st, 2022.

Call for Speakers will close July 7th, 2022.

REGISTER NOW

Heavy trash pickup just got easier

The weather is getting warmer and people are starting to do more spring cleaning. Before placing extra trash near the curb, remember Evansville has changed the way heavy trash is collected. Heavy Trash pickup is now year-round. That means you don’t have to wait until spring and fall to get rid of your junk.

Scheduling a heavy trash pickup is easy. Go online to ewsu.com/forms/heavy-trash/ to submit a heavy trash pickup request form or call Republic Services at 800-886-3345 to schedule your pick-up on the phone.

Republic Services will collect one item for pickup every two weeks, for a total of twenty six items per year. Furniture sets – such as a mattress and box springs, table and chairs or couch and love seat – count as one item.

For more information, visit ewsu.com/heavytrash or send an email to Republic Services: republicservices.com/customer-support/contact-us

VOICE Visioning Session about Education

Join Leadership Everyone for a visioning session about Education.

Leadership Everyone is working with the Promise Neighborhood effort to work toward improved education and stronger neighborhoods. They have asked us to hold VOICE visioning sessions in four neighborhoods focused on education and neighborhood needs in those areas. The first session will be Potter’s Wheel on May 17th from 5pm – 7pm.

View full flyer.