Iron County AODA offers video series on addiction and mental health issues

HURLEY — The first in a series of videos on the recovery process from both mental health and addiction issues will be shown at the Hurley K-12 School auditorium Monday.

The series, held by the Iron County Underage AODA Prevention Community Coalition, will feature one film a month through April.

The first film, shown from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, follows the story of Jackie Nitschke — the first wife of a Green Bay Packers player to admit to struggling with alcohol addiction.

“Through interviews with former NFL players, their wives and Jackie’s own family members, addiction experts and alumni of The Jackie Nitschke Center for Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation, the film captures not only Jackie’s fascinating story, but the cocktail culture of her generation, the psychology of addiction and relapse and the myriad ways in which lives in chaos can be saved through treatment and recovery,” said a film description from the Iron County Human Services Department.

Future films in the series include:

—Feb. 15 — “The Bill McPhee Story,” about living with schizophrenia.

—March 14 — “The Innocent Victims of Meth,” about the impact drug addiction has on the children of addicts.

—April 18 — Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team member Jason Geach will present on drugs in our area and the Lybert family will discuss their experience living with heroin addiction and recovery.

According to organizers, most of the events are scheduled to run from 6 to 7 p.m. in the school’s auditorium, with the exception of the April presentation which is scheduled to run until 8 p.m.

— Richard Jenkins