OUTAGAMIE COUNTY (WTAQ) — Tuesday’s Outagamie County Drug Victim Impact Panel gave inmates from the Drug Abuse Correctional Center in Oshkosh and speakers the chance to share their stories; in hopes of creating a better future for others.
The Drug Victim Impact Panel was implemented in 2018. Those who were sentenced to attend heard from inmates and speakers about how drugs affected their lives. Outagamie County Judge Vince Biskupic started the program.
“The goal is to give the defendants an opportunity to reflect. If we can plant a seed in their mind that affects their path going forward, that’s a good thing,” said Biskupic. “So far, the first five or six years we’ve done this, we’ve seen a lot of success.”
One of the speakers at the event, Natalie, shared her story. After getting involved with drugs at the age of 12, overdosing 13 times, and being sentenced to prison twice by Judge Biskupic, she’s now happy to be seven years clean. She started speaking through the program the first time she was incarcerated.
“It keeps me accountable and honest; it reminds me where I came from.” said Natalie. “I remember the struggles and why I don’t want to go back. I want to stay clean.”
During her speech, she said she was lucky to go to jail because some people don’t make it that far.
The Drug Victim Impact Panel is held four times every year. Following the speaker presentations, the inmates, defendants, and others in attendance have the chance to speak with a doctor about their health moving forward.
For information on substance use services, call 211 or 833-944-4673 for the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline. You can also visit addictionhelpwi.org.
