5. EDSR 08-14-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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METHAMPHETAMINE IN RURAL MINNESOTA: Methamphetamine (meth) is a powerful man-made stimulant drug. The drug is made or "cooked" using a dangerous combination of chemicals, and is sold in the form of pills, powder or chunks. It is believed that up to eighty percent of the meth used illegally in Minnesota comes from other states and from out of the country. The remaining meth used illegally in Minnesota is made in clandestine laboratories ("meth labs") in homes, vehicles, motels, ice-fishing shacks and other locations. The illegal production, distribution and use of meth has increased significantly in rural Minnesota in the last decade. In 2003, over seventy-five percent of the clandestine meth labs were discovered outside of the largest Minnesota cities. Over the last six years (1998-2004), over 325 labs were exposed in the fourteen counties served by the Initiative Foundation. The existence of the drug in our region and throughout Greater Minnesota is accountahle for • Serious environmental dangers caused by meth labs and meth chemical dumps • Increased child abuse, child neglect and child endangerment • Increased crime and violence -including theft, sexual assault and even homicide • Increased demands on medical and social services, jails, fire departments and law enforcement agencies • Additional pressure on educators, parents, units of government and communities as a whole OUR RESPONSE• The Initiative Foundation has been given a charge to respond to the emerging issues in our service area. Methamphetamine is a clear and strong threat to the health and safety of our communities and its members. The consequences of its existence crosses over our priority areas of Fostering Environmental Health and Preservation; Promoting the Healthy Development for Children, Youth and Families; Retaining a Sense of Place; and Ensuring Economic Well Being for Communities. We'believe that by coming along side communities, we can help prevent and reduce the incidence of meth production, use and distribution, and support families and communities as they deal with its devastating effects. OUR PRINCII'LES• We believe we can be most effective by: • Increasing awareness and providing education about methamphetamine • Working in partnership with other agencies, organizations and individuals facing this issue • Taking an asset-based approach to prevention, enforcement, education and treatment • Building on existing community resources PROGRAM COMPONENTS• Through our Methamphetamine Initiative, we will provide a combination of education, technical support, financial assistance and resource and referral services bv: • Conducting educational workshops such as Merh ,twurcness l01 and Hope throtrKh TreaUnent • Convening county-wide community coalitions • Making community, multi-community and county-wide grants to identity and mobilize resources, and implement local prevention projects • Developing and distributing resource guides and resource toolkits to schools; communities, parents, employers and partnering organizations • Creating a regional media catnpaigo to include news stories, public service announcements, radio interviews, and opinion editorials For more information, please contact Ed Minnema Initiative Foundation 405 First Street SE Little Falls, MN 56345 INITIATIVE (320) 632-9255 or (877) 632-9255 toll-free FOUNDATION Fax: (320> 632-92sa E-mail: eminnemar7a ifound orp Website: www.ifound.org