Earlier today people from all sides of the fight against drug abuse came together in Wausau to discuss a new marketing campaign called Pushback.
They hope it will increase awareness of the drug problems facing our community.
Everyone from police chiefs to high school guidance councilors were able to add input into the campaign.
The goal is to target everyone, but most specifically teenagers and young adults.
They hope to employ everything from billboards and public service announcements to presentations in schools and to youth groups.
Unlike other national anti-drug campaigns, the goal is for this one to be tailored exclusively to the problems that are most pressing within Marathon County.
"When you look at our own data here in Marathon County, we have seen increases in overdose deaths and increases in the number of people arrested in drug related crime. So, it really is something that both Marathon County residents as well as those that are working on this issue can get behind." said project organizer Melissa Dotter.
While the campaign will focus on all kinds of drug abuse, the organizers say they want to pay extra attention when it comes to heroin... since they've seen crimes involving this drug go up.
Last year alone there were 24 heroin-related arrests.
Organizers say they hope to begin implementing the new program beginning in May.
They hope the new campaign will also help prompt those already using drugs to come forward and seek out help.
"Pushback" Campaign