August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. On this day, we focus on the impact of drug overdoses, mourn those who have lost their lives, support their surviving loved ones, and encourage those seeking treatment. As a nation, we also work on prevention, drug policy, and reducing the negative social stigma associated with substance use disorders throughout the month.

Over time, we’ve learned that substance misuse is far more complex than a decision to use or not use. It is not a character weakness or a product of poor parenting. We understand through research into the science of addiction that there are emotional, behavioral, biological, environmental, and genetic components that make the path to recovery so difficult. We also know that the overdose epidemic has become even more challenging as deadly substances like fentanyl and xylazine — are being mixed into counterfeit prescription drugs and people are unintentionally overdosing without awareness about what they are taking. 

While substance use continues to rise, communities grapple with the consequences. Not just the loss of friends and family members, but the costs of folks needing shelter, food and medical care. There is not one person or place that has not been touched by the issue of illicit substance use. 

What I hope for this month, is that you attend an event in your community that is supportive of friends, families and coworkers, who are impacted by this epidemic – and that’s all of us. Consider participating in efforts in your community to secure housing or develop prevention and awareness programming for young people. Or take time to drop off some clothing at your local shelter. Each one of us can do SOMETHING. And I hope you will. 

One more thing: Find out where you can pick up a NARCAN kit. This opioid overdose reversal drug may save a life. In most areas, it is free. In some areas, you may have to get it at the pharmacy. ASK! The nasal deployment system is easy to use, harmless to the patient, and is a critical rescue drug. HELP by having the kit available and know how to use it. 

If you have questions about how you can be part of this awareness campaign, let me know. I’m happy to help you find out what is happening in your area. 

Best regards,

Renee Schofield

Back to School

Pedestrian Safety

This month, children across the country are heading back to school. While some of us are fortunate enough to be able to drop our kids off in front of the school building and others have door-to-door bus service, there are many families who must get there on foot.

Unfortunately, the walk to school exposes kids to an increased risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Children are smaller in size and more difficult for drivers to see, they are often unfamiliar with traffic laws, they tend to have difficulty judging speeds and distances, and they can be easily distracted. According to the Transportation Research Board, each year, about 100 students are killed in car accidents walking to or from school and nearly 25,000 children are injured. 

Therefore, it is critical to remind drivers to take special care as the school year begins. But it is also important, as summer is winding down, to start planning with your children for the safest walk to school possible whether you are accompanying them, or they are walking without adult supervision.

For Safety's Sake:

Stay Hydrated!

You wouldn’t automatically think about hydration being a workplace or community safety issue. But it is. As we see record temperatures across the nation, keeping the body properly hydrated is a critical health issue, not just for your employees, but for everyone – the elderly, youngsters, and YOU!

Did you know that nearly 80% of your body is made up of water? All your organs rely on water to function normally. This includes digestion, saliva, cushion bones, brain support, joint lubrication, and body temperature regulation!

Signs & Symptoms to Look Out For

When you are working, playing and sweating in the heat, dehydration can set in quickly. The feeling of thirst is the first indication that you may already be experiencing dehydration.

Signs of moderate to severe dehydration include:

Are You Tough Enough to Wear Pink?

TSS - Keokuk is pleased to once again help support breast cancer awareness and research by hosting part of 101.7 The Bull's annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign and live broadcast on Tuesday, August 29th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you are in the Keokuk, IA area, come by our offices at 906 Main St. We'll be selling Tough Enough to Wear Pink T-Shirts with proceeds benefitting the American Cancer Society and the North Lee County Relay for Life.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink was created in 2004 to bring the sport of professional rodeo and the Western community together to rally against breast cancer. The campaign has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer charities, much of which stays right in the community.

Meet the Collector:

Aubrey McCurley

Hi, my name is Aubrey McCurley. I have worked in TSS’s Juneau office as a Certified Drug Test Collector since October 2022.

At our Juneau location, we do a little bit of everything including a lot of drug testing and fingerprinting. I love my job with TSS because I’ve had so many opportunities to grow in my profession, learn new skills and dip my toes into a lot of different types of tasks. 

For me, it’s been especially rewarding to see TSS make a difference in the community by keeping people accountable and honest. TSS has shown me the flip side of drug testing that people don’t often see. We get to help people, whether it’s by lending an ear when they need to vent about things, assisting them in finding resources to get the help they need, or just by keeping people honest. I truly believe that without trust and honesty, the whole world would fall apart. 

Coaching Corner: A Path to Personal Growth

By Renee Schofield, NO SPEED LIMIT

As a certified health and wellness coach, I am always gathering resources to help people live their best life.



When I talk with people about being a health and wellness coach, I often hear that they don’t understand how this could be a “field” and why anyone would use a coach.

As a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBCHWC), I’ve trained for a long time to be able to answer the questions around this. More importantly, I’ve worked with enough people to know the benefits. And I’ve worked for years with my own coach, so I know firsthand how it helped me.

Sometimes a person gets stuck on how to do what they want to do. And we must remember, it’s not always about losing weight! Which is what people immediately think when I tell them that I am a health coach. People have many reasons why they contact a health coach.