Van Orden attends listening session on drug use in the Chippewa Valley

EAU CLAIRE — Laura Coulthard openly talks about her past meth use addiction and her battles to stay away from the drug.

"I was still a functioning drug addict, going to work and shooting up on my break," she said.

Coulthard, who now serves on the board of Arbor Place substance abuse services in Menomonie, said she only went to rehab because she didn't want to lose her job. She is fearful of the dangers of the drugs that are now available in the Chippewa Valley.

"It doesn't matter what type of drug it is now, because they all have fentanyl in it," she said.

Coulthard was one of several people who have been impacted by drugs that attended a listening session Tuesday with U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden at the Pablo Center at the Confluence.

Coulthard had a list of ideas for the Congressman, such as making it easier for federal dollars to go to small rehab clinics.

"L.E. Phillips closing is terrible," she said.

Van Orden agreed with many of her ideas.

"I believe it's time for the federal government to get back involved with mental health care," he said.

Van Orden said it was difficult to hear the stories from the panel, which featured some people addicted to drugs, and others who lost a family member because of drug use. He noted that someone could exit the venue and within a five-minute walk, would be able to obtain fentanyl.

"It's heartbreaking to listen to moms, dads, cousins, and hear their stories," Van Orden said after the session.

When asked what is the top legislation needed to end the drug crisis, Van Orden responded, "the U.S. southern border has to be secured. These drugs are being brought across the southern border, and it's killing our citizens. It's got to stop; it has to stop."

Van Orden was critical of Vice President and Democratic president nominee Kamala Harris, calling her role as "the border czar." He said that fentanyl-related deaths in Wisconsin have climbed more than 90% in the past three years.

Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes attended the listening session.

"I will tell all of you in recovery that I'm proud of you," Hakes said.

Hakes said the drug crisis is "not a situation we can arrest our way out of." He noted that an average hospital stay for someone who checks in with a drug problem is just three days, which isn't long enough to help someone get and stay clean.

"They don't get access to programming until they go to prison," Hakes said.