Florence County Board of Health members support Governor Tony Evers’ proclamation identifying April as Alcohol Awareness and Screening Month, from left, Sherry Johnson, Holly Wahlstrom Stratton, Cindy Kmecheck and Carolyn Lemanski. Not pictured are Chad Hedmark, Susan Theer, and Vonnie Van Pembrook.

Florence, Wis. — Florence County Board of Health, at its monthly meeting, supported Gov. Tony Evers’ proclamation denoting April as Alcohol Awareness and Screening month.

The proclamation identifies alcohol consumption as a public health and safety concern costing Wisconsin residents $6.8 billion annually in lost productivity, health care, criminal justice, and crime.

Alcohol abuse imposes profound negative effects on individuals, families, communities and employers. Wisconsin continues to have one of the highest adult binge drinking rates in the nation. Children who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who delay alcohol use until age 21.

The proclamation encourages health care professionals to effectively screen for and identify alcohol use disorders during annual check-ups and periodic health evaluations. It also encourages residents to help prevent and reduce excessive alcohol use by supporting enforcement of minimum legal drinking age laws and assisting our neighbors and family members in recovery.

If you are interested in joining a coalition to address strategies related to addiction in your community, contact your local health or human services department. Florence County Health Department can be reached at 715-528-4837, located in the Courthouse at 501 Lake Ave. or to go http://www.florencecountywi.com/.

The health department is located on the second floor, 501 Lake Ave. in the Florence County Courthouse, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m.