Matters of Substance: Recent Episodes
Dawn Pelc
Matters of Substance hosts and guests discuss trending topics that surround illicit drugs, substance use and underage consumption. Listen in to find out what is being done to combat the growing epidemic of substance use disorder in the United States.
On today's episode Betsy and Carley sit down with Diane, a mother whose life was forever changed after the loss of her daughter to accidental overdose. Join us as we discuss her daughter's life, how Diane is finding hope after losing a child, and the message she has for other parents of children struggling with mental health and addiction.
In today's episode, Carley sits down with Jesse Sarowicz, epidemiologist at Hub Coalition, to learn more about what epidemiology is, its role in prevention, and current trends in substance misuse within our community.
On today's episode, Betsy and Carley discuss the increase in THC potency over recent years, as well as the impact THC can have on the young brain and what parents can do to begin the conversation around substance use with their own children.
Join Betsy & Carley as they discuss the growing opioid crisis, how opioids effect the brain and what individuals can do to help prevent opioid misuse in their community.
Carley and Angela, Older Adult Grant Project Director from Porter-Starke Services, delve into the unique challenges of social isolation and loneliness faced by older adults. They explore the changing dynamics of community connectivity in a technologically driven world. For older adults, nurturing their mind, body, and spirit becomes even more crucial. Through heartfelt conversation and expert insights, they uncover the benefits of fostering a sense of belonging in later life.
Holistic Evolution (HE) addresses the developmental needs of male youth of color in Northwest Indiana, by providing them with a mentor that has healthy beliefs and clear standards. Through the use of encouragement and accountability mentors create a lasting positive impact on HE's mentees. Join us as we chat with Ester Lewis and Roman Griffin about the impact of mentoring, community connection and HE as a whole.
Carley and Betsy chat with DEA Special Agent Czaczkowski about the One Pill Can Kill campaign that educates the community on the nationwide increase of Fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills which is tragically leading to accidental overdose deaths. The DEA determined that 6 out of 10 DEA tested pills that containe Fentanyl have a potentially lethal dose. To learn more, listen to this episode.
Carley and Betsy sit down with Matt & Joe from Groups Recover Together. We discussed some of the barriers of medication-assisted treatment, and the work Groups Recover Together is doing to overcome them. Join us as we chat about how GRT partners with the judicial system to assit people being released from incarceration and the adaptations they have made to make programs available online.
Michael O’Connor is the executive director of the Moraine House in Valparaiso. He discusses what the Moraine House is and its history.
Alyssa talks with Carley about her new program, Smoke Free Moms, that she is rolling out for Mental Health America.
Carley, Chris and Jie discuss the many things that have been made possible by the Partnerships for Success grant. They also offer a preview of some good things to come.
Carley, Chris and Jie discuss the many things that have been made possible by the Partnerships for Success grant. They also offer a preview of some good things to come.
Ron Seman talks about his ministry to share the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of hiking - specifically the Indiana Dunes.
Ron Seman talks about his ministry to share the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of hiking - specifically the Indiana Dunes.
Police Social Worker, Sam Burgett and Police Chief, Jeff Balon talk about the recently unveiled Police Assisted Recovery Initiative (PARI) that focuses on getting people the help that they need.
Police Social Worker, Sam Burgett and Police Chief, Jeff Balon talk about the recently unveiled Police Assisted Recovery Initiative (PARI) that focuses on getting people the help that they need.
Natalie Muskin-Press shares here experiences with students at Valparaiso University as it relates to tobacco, alcohol and other substance use through the pandemic to this current semester.
Natalie Muskin-Press shares here experiences with students at Valparaiso University as it relates to tobacco, alcohol and other substance use through the pandemic to this current semester.
Carrie Higgins, Program Director with Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County and Donna Golob, Executive Director for A Positive Approach To Teen Health talk about the Youth Wellness Forum taking place September 27, 2022 at Valparaiso University Harre Union.
The forum is aimed at educating and empowering professionals and parents.
Carrie Higgins, Program Director with Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County and Donna Golob, Executive Director for A Positive Approach To Teen Health talk about the Youth Wellness Forum taking place September 27, 2022 at Valparaiso University Harre Union.
The forum is aimed at educating and empowering professionals and parents.
Diana Iltzche and Angela Wehner with Porter-Starke Services Life On Purpose grant, that focuses on older adults pertaining to substance misuse.
Diana Iltzche and Angela Wehner with Porter-Starke Services Life On Purpose grant, that focuses on older adults pertaining to substance misuse.
Aubree Adams lived in Colorado when marijuana became legalized. At first, she didn't think it would affect her family much, but she says that it destroyed her family. She feels that marijuana leads to addiction, psychosis and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Hear more about Aubree's story on this episode of Matters of Substance.
Kealah Parkinson is a Communication Coach who helps people cycle out of fight or flight in the moment. She has a radio show on WVLP, Tune In: Radio for Your Mind Body and Soul. The radio show is in it's thrid season.
Carley and Kaitlyn continue the conversation with Meghan Buell about trans visibility and the challenges that are faced by people with different gender identities.
Simon Anderson Schelling and Ezra Burke discuss their work with LGBTQ Outreach of Porter County.
Todd Willis and Scott Jansen talk about their training with CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America). Scott and Todd voluteered to go through several rigorous week-long tranings with the organization to help us improve our work here in Porter County. They share that they've learned so far.
Trauma-informed yoga instructor, Samantha Aguilar discusses self care for people in recovery, most of which can be used by anybody.
If you are a parent, this is the episode for you. Lisa Raftery shares her expertise about communicating with youth, the language they use, being a source of information and having open communication.
Part II of our converation with Trauma-informed yoga instructor, Samantha Aguilar discusses self care for people in recovery, most of which can be used by anybody.
Trauma-informed yoga instructor, Samantha Aguilar discusses self care for people in recovery, most of which can be used by anybody.
Samantha started The Community Change Center: WeAreOne, Inc., which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Northwest Indiana that works with incarcerated individuals during incarceration and as they transition back into their communities, providing tangible resources and connections, as well as a sense of support and empowerment.
They recently opened the Unity Cafe at Living Hope church in Valparaiso. The mission of Unity Cafe is creating unity in the community. The cafe features refreshments, recovery circles, workshops & community building. Learn more at https://weareoneinc.org/.
This is all in addition to her “day job” as a social worker for the Valparaiso Police Department.
Carley and Kaitlyn speak with Jessica Herzog Hall, Director of ACEs Indiana Coalition, about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how they are connected to a variety of negative outcomes in adulthood, including poor physical and mental health, substance use, and risky behaviors.
The ACEs Indiana Coalition is dedicated to growing awareness on Adverse Childhood Experiences and building self-healing communities. Self-healing communities focus on the implementation of trauma-informed interventions, local policy improvements and paradigm shifts in how we assist children and families. Through self-healing communities and appropriate interventions, we can help individuals heal from Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Special guest, Madison Binkowski, turns the tables and asks questions to hosts Carley and Kaitlyn along with Jie Chen, who is the Porter County Substance Abuse Council's epidemiologist. The group digs into all aspects of prevention for Porter County.
Carley and Kaitlyn have a conversation with Greg Sims, a Porter County Council Member, a teacher, and the founder of Porter County Suicide Prevention Task Force. Greg was at a County Council meeting when the county coroner asked for an additional $20,000. When asked why she needed the extra money, she explained that she was doing more autopsies than anticipated because of the increased number of suicides.
This experience dramatically illustrated that there is a problem with suicide in Porter County. Greg shares what he's doing to try to reduce the number of suicides in the county.
Bill Carnegie from Big Brothers Big Sisters discusses the impact mentoring has on youth and adults alike. BBBS has now expanded to Porter County Indiana! If you would like to become a mentor go to www.becomeabig.com If you would like to enroll your child in this program visit www.bbbs.org/enroll-a-child/
Living life with intention as you age can go a long way in helping to prevent substance misuse, isolation and depression. Diana Iltzsche joins Kaitlyn and Carley to discuss the effect that alcohol can have on older adults. She also discusses the WISE program that teaches older adults how to make healthy lifestyle changes and feel empowered.
Guest Klaudia Wojcieschowska, Drug Overdose Prevention Program Director with ISHD, discusses training available to grant funded communities, upcoming grant funding opportunities, administering Naloxone and dispeslling myths about Fentanyl. Visit https://optin.in.gov/ to find out where you can get Naloxone in Indiana.
In this episode, Kaitlyn and Carley speak with Skylar Gertonson from Valparaiso University's Alliance. Alliance supports, educates and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Their mission is to create a safe space for students to explore identity and celebrate LGBTQ+ culture.
In this episode, Ronda Gorby shares her story of recovery and talks about the practices and programs that have helped her maintain long-term recovery. Join us for this peek into Ronda's captivating life story.
"We are going to be successful by listening to our communities and funding the services they tell us they need." Jeremy Turner, Director of ISHD Division of HIV, STD, and Viral Hepatitis shares what the Indiana State Health Department is doing to prevent and respond to these health challenges. Listen in as we discuss prevention, harm reduction and caring for our communities throughout Indiana.
Kaitlyn and Carley chat with Will Jones from Smart Approaches to Marijuana to talk the need to stop Big Pot from becoming the next Big Tobacco. Will discusses the affects of legalizing Marijuana on youth, the economy and social justice.
Kevin Ray Johnson is a recruiter for a fortune 500 company and the author of Now What: How to Succeed Even if College is Not an Option for You.Kevin discusses steps that young adults can take to be career ready and encourages others to reach for their goals.
With Substance Use Disorder on the rise since March, now more than ever, knowing where to go for help is important. Nick Gore from Indiana Center for Recovery speaks with Kaitlyn and Carley about the need for treatment in the USA. Nick discusses forms of treatment offered by his organization from equine therapy to EMDR. Listen in and learn about the need, for those living with Substance Use Disorder, to lay a stable foundation that will build into a life of long-term recovery.
As songs with explicit content top the charts it is an important time to discuss how music impacts youth. Join Kaitlyn, Dawn and Carley as they chat about the influence music has on society and the importance of monitoring what content youth have access to.
The Enabler, Scapegoat, Mascot, Lost Child and Savior are roles commonly found in families struggling with Substance Use Disorder. Join Kaitlyn and Carley as they discuss how these roles play a part in family dynamics and the path to healing.
Host Carley and special guest, Bernice Sterna from Franciscan Alliance, discuss Medicated Assisted Treatment options, and the importance of a "treat the whole person" approach through a focus on mental and spiritual health while utilizing a MAT plan.
#mattersofsubstancepc
Dawn and Carley chat with Anne Hazlett, Senior Advisor for Rural Affairs at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, about the recently launched Rural Community Toolbox. Listen in and learn about a new resource that connects rural communities with funding opportunities, training resources and so much more.
Megan Fisher with Recovery Advocacy Project discusses the nationwide network of people that are advocating for policy change, stigma reduction and justice reform as it pertains to people in recovery. Join us as we discuss the need for a collective voice to come together to lead a movement.
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Join us as we highlight how to reduce the risk of youth substance use. Carley and Kaitlyn discuss 2020's National Prevention Week topics: Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse, Preventing Underage Drinking and Alcohol Misuse, Preventing Illicit Drug Use and Youth Marijuana Use, Preventing Youth Tobacco Use, Preventing Suicide. Join us as we highlight how to reduce the risk of youth substance use.
Join hosts Kaitlyn Griffin and Dawn Pelc as they chat with Scott Janson, from Gateway Foundation, about the adaptations treatment facilities have had to make during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear should not be a barrier to treatment, so this episode will help the listener understand what to expect when beginning admissions into a treatment service provider.
In this episode Carley and special guest Bernice Sterna discuss the danger of ignoring your instincts as it relates to your child's potential substance use. We share tips and resources that will help begin hard conversations that will lead to a healthy discussion. Listen in and learn how to cultivate an environment that reduces the risk of underage drinking for your child.
Dezimon Alicea from Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH) shares his wide range of experiences from radio and communications, to mentoring, to being an educator, and finally stumbling upon PATH. Dezimon's growing passion for helping young people and extensive knowledge in communications landed him as the Director of Community Engagement and Awareness. PATH as an organization contributes to middle schooler's knowledge of overall health including teen pregnancy, STD/STIs, substance use disorder, and more.
In this episode, Youth Mentor Alliance coordinators share an overview of a new initiative focused on building positive relationships with vulnerable youth. The initiative provides mentor programs the opportunity to develop targeted skills needed to bridge the gap.
In this episode, Professor Don Spears shares the impact interns have by being a much needed workforce in Human Services related organizations. Additionally, the benefits of being an intern and hosting an internship site are discussed. Join us as Professor Spears illuminates the instrumental role that interns play in their communities.
In this episode, Dakota Taylor discusses his role as an intern for the Porter County Substance Abuse Council. Listen in as Carley and Dakota speak about the importance of internships within the community, and how they can positively impact the agency they work with while developing professional skills.
On this episode Smart Approaches to Marijuana's Vice President of Government Affairs, Garth Van Meter, discusses what outcomes have been observed since the legalization of recreational marijuana and Big Tobacco's roll in legalization. Listen in to learn about social justice issues, youth use and the economic impacts that pertain to recreational Marijuana legalization.
In this episode of our 2-part MAT series, Carley and Kaitlyn further discuss what it may be like for someone going through medicated assisted treatment. Including the importance of following the prescription and treatment plan given by physician and what other self-help programs are appropriate for individuals in MAT (12-step groups, one-on-one therapy)
In this episode, the first of a two part series, Kaitlyn and Carley discuss Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Listen in and learn how MAT is being used to help those struggling with Substance Use Disorder.
In this episode Carley and Porter Starke Services Director of Prevention and Education, Todd Willis, discuss Ketamine as a treatment for depression. Todd explains how a medication primarily used as an anesthetic since the 1970's recently became the most promising medication to combat Treatment Resistant Depression.
On today's episode Kaitlyn and Carley discuss how people struggling with Substance Use Disorder and Serious Mental Illness are being effected due to changing social, economical and health dynamics in the United States.
In this episode of Matters of Substance, host Carley Samayoa speaks with special guest David Reynolds. He discusses the current state of affairs and how it effecting Porter County.
#mattersofsubstancepc on #spotify and #iheartradio
In this episode of Matters of Substance, host Carley Samayoa speaks with special guest Sheriff Reynolds. Sheriff Reynolds discusses the number of COVID-19 cases in the jail and precautions that are in place to combat additional infection rates. Listen in as we also discuss the Heroin Overdose Response Team and educational videos that the sheriff's office has created.
In our Stigma Never Helps episode guest Matt Heskett shares his recovery story and how Indiana Recovery Council is providing resources to the community in an effort to combat stigma.
On this episode of Matters of Substance, Kaitlyn and Dawn speak with Jim Burns, Executive Director of Family Focus, to talk about the family prevention initiatives he has created and promoted since 1989 in Porter and other adjoining counties.
On this previously recorded episode, host Dawn Pelc and guest host, Todd Willis, sit down with Tracy Allen, the creator of Brandon's Cause. Tracy started Brandon’s Cause in 2018 in memory of her son, Brandon Klemp. After four years of recovery Brandon relapsed and died due to an accidental overdose. Join us as Tracy shares her story and her passion for making a positive change in the recovery community.
In this bonus episode, Kaitlyn and Carley discuss six shows that focus on differing elements of substance use. From a docuseries that illuminate the beginning stages of the Opioid epidemic to a documentary that exhibits the effects of generational substance use disorder. Join us as we discuss six shows you should watch while sheltering in place.
In this bonus episode Carley and Kaitlyn discuss six shows that focus on differing elements of substance use. From docuseries that illuminate the beginning stages of the Opioid epidemic to a documentary that exhibits the effects of generational substance use disorder. Join us as we discuss the six shows you should watch while sheltering in place.
Adverse Childhood Experiences can damage a child's psyche and ultimately create road blocks to a fulfilling adult life. When 4 or more ACEs are experienced, people exhibit 14x the number of suicide attempts. Faced with this staggering statistic and many others, Jason and Carley discuss how mentoring can positively change a child's life and help them develop tools to become resilient in moments of adversity.
A rookie on the force for 3 years in the small town of Griffith, Indiana with a population of less than 17,000, Officer Rick Merschantz and his partner David Borgetti observantly noted the patterns of the 911 calls.
The calls originating from the same addresses yielded the same distressing scenarios – domestic disputes, drug use and possession altercations, and overdose victims. In an effort to decrease the town statistics of overdose deaths and provide a viable solution, Merschantz and Borgetti began to research a fledging program called “Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative or PARRI piloted in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
We will discuss the nuts and bolts of PARRI and how this small town with the big idea of coordinating resources has changed the face of the entire region of Northwest Indiana. Join Dawn Pelc as she welcomes the team that made this possible – Griffith Police Officer Rick Merschantz, Griffith Police social worker and coordinator Erica Rios and IUN/IUPUI Master of Social Work Field Coordinator Jennifer Hippie.
Thank you to Matt Heskett who joined us on Matters of Substance and spoke at this month's coalition meeting. Matt generously left us with a few shirts to give out to our listeners! Here is how you can win a shirt!
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Share this post and our Stigma Never Helps Matters of Substance episode to your social media accounts.
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On our Facebook page (Porter County Substance Abuse Council) locate our Stigma Never Helps post, listen to the episode and comment something that Matt shares about his story in the comments section.
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Don't forget to like and share our Facebook page!
T-shirts sizes and quantities are limited
Hosts Dawn and Carley, speak with Matt Heskett from Indiana Recovery Council. In this episode, Matt discusses IRC's Stigma Never Helps campaign and shares his personal journey to longterm recovery. Join us as we discuss how to help people who struggle with substance use disorder through reducing stigma.
#mattersofsubstancePC #stigmaneverhelps
"The choice to do nothing when people are dying doesn’t seem to be a good choice," stated Prosecutor Eaton of Hancock County, Indiana. Hancock County has taken a strong stand to move forward in charging people, who have overdosed, with possession. In this episode we discuss Hancock County's decision and what other communities throughout the USA are doing to address issues similar to Hancock County's.
In this short discussion, Kaitlyn and Carley share the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for avoiding and decreasing the spread of COVID-19, better known as the Coronavirus.
Join host, Dawn Pelc, and special guest, Kristi Chervenak, as they discuss statistics from the coroner's office, the danger of leaving unused prescriptions in your cabinets and the consequences of hosting parties where underage drinking is allowed.
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The CDC states, "In 2017, nearly 494,000 people in the United States reported using heroin in the past year." Join us as we discuss heroin and the link its use has to HIV. On this episode, we explore the higher risk of contracting HIV, which can lead to AIDS, for people who use intravenous drugs. #mattersofsubstance
Thank you, Kristi Chervanak, for stopping in the studio yesterday to discuss your new role as the Recovery Coordinator with Recovery Connection. Recovery Connection exists to provide resources and support for addicted persons or persons in recovery from addiction, as well as their families, friends and support members.
Join us on Matters of Substance as we discuss Methamphetamine. What is Methamphetamine? How did it originate? Where is it currently trending? What are the consequences of use? What signs can you look out for if you are concerned about a family member abusing Methamphetamine? We will answer all of these questions and more on this weeks episode.
If you suspect a friend or family member is in need of resources to treat substance use disorder go to SAMHSA.gov for treatment providers in your area.
Join us as we talk with Nicole Walters, Coordinator of the Portage Recovery Association in Portage, Indiana. The location acts as a fellowship center where those living a sober life are invited to come by and socialize with the recovery community. This clubhouse also hosts 12 step recovery groups that are scheduled throughout the week and welcomes all that enter.
Corporal Kenny Williams, has served the Hobart Police Department since 2007. He currently works as a full time K9 interdiction officer and is a well known throughout Lake and Porter county as a leading expert in criminal vehicle interdiction. He is personally responsible for the seizure of over 3 million dollars cash, several hundred pounds of illicit narcotics and well over a ton of Marijuana. Williams has received countless awards and is a high in demand trainer for the nationally recognized Street Cop Training (streetcoptraining.com)
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a baby is born every 25 minutes suffering from opioid withdrawal. With the United States in the midst of an opioid epidemic, it is no surprise that our most vulnerable population is at risk. In this episode of Matters of Substance, Kaitlyn, Patti and Carley discuss the dangers of substance use as it pertains to infants.
- Illinois cannabis amnesty boxes
- Lori Postma on being prepared in an emergency
- Coffee with a Cop
Dawn Pelc, host of Matters of Substance, and special guest Todd Willis, Director of Prevention and Education with Porter Starke Services, share the history of the United State's opioid epidemic. Join Dawn and Todd as they explore the history of this epidemic, starting with the creation of the hypodermic syringe and ending with actions that are currently being taken to combat this growing threat.
This episode was previously aired on WVLP.org. Information discussed is reflective of March 2019 statistics.
Looking to fill a glaring need in the community, local businessmen joined forces with the church community to offer up to 25 homeless men a place to stay and reorganize their life in a safe and nurturing environment. Join Host Dawn Pelc and New Creation Director, Jim Drader, and Erin Miller, Director of Client Services as they discuss the vulnerable population of the homeless in middle of the thriving and progressive-centric City of Valparaiso, Indiana.
Join us as we discuss the effects that legalizing marijuana has had on Colorado and other states. In this episode we explore the changes that Colorado has seen since 2012, when recreational marijuana use became legal. Impact on the workforce, criminal justice system and health are highlighted in episode 1 of the Matters of Substance podcast.
Join host Dawn Pelc and recurring guest Todd Willis in a discussion on Rat Park, the series of studies that suggest a correlation between substance use disorder and a lack of personal fulfillment and connection. Johann Hari's book Chasing the Scream: The Opposite of Addiction is Connection dives into the findings of the Rat Park studies and what valuable insight we can take away from the outcomes.