Winchester Academy presents program
Detective Sgt. Brian Hoelzel will discuss the heroin’s effect on the community at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.
Hosted by Winchester Academy, the program is free and open to the public.
A 22-year veteran of the Waupaca Police Department, Hoelzel will present an overview about what heroin is, how it is used, and how people become addicted.
Hoelzel will focus on the history of heroin use in Waupaca area and how the county is struggling with the heroin issue.
He says there’s a growing tendency of people to transition from prescribed pain medications to opioids such as heroin.
Hoelzel will spell out the social issues Waupaca faces, including the dangers of heroin use by youth, overdoses and their treatment, and especially, the need for recovery programs.
Hoelzel is responsible for investigating major crimes as well as working with the Central Drug Task Force. Since 2002, Hoelzel has been involved in investigating how heroin abuse has led to an increase in criminal activity, including recent arrests for possession of heroin, drug trafficking and burglary. He knows firsthand the implications of heroin use and has investigated both drug overdoses and drug overdose deaths.
Hoelzel is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Winchester Academy programs are funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations.
The April 4 program is sponsored by Jack and Glenda Rhodes.