|
METHAMPHETAMINE IN RURAL MINNESOTA: Methamphetamine (meth) is a INITIATIVE
<br />powerful man-made stimulant drug. The drug is made or "cooked" using a dangerous
<br />combination of chemicals, and is sold in the form of pills, powder or chunks. It is believed FO U N DATI O N
<br />that up to eighty percent of the meth used illegally in Minnesota comes from other states
<br />and from out of the country. The remaining meth used illegally in Minnesota is made in clandestine laboratories
<br />("meth labs") in homes, vehicles, motels, ice-fishing shacks and other locations.
<br />The illegal production, distribution and use of meth has increased significantly in rural Minnesota in the last decade.
<br />In 2003, over seventy-five percent of the clandestine meth labs were discovered outside of the largest Minnesota cities.
<br />Over the last six years (1993-2004), over 325 labs were exposed iri the fourteen counties served by the Initiative
<br />Foundation. The existence of the drug in our region and throughout Greater Minnesota is accountable for:
<br />• Serious environmental dangers caused by meth labs and meth chemical dumps
<br />• Increased child abuse, child neglect and child endangerment
<br />• Increased crime and violence -including theft, sexual assault and even homicide
<br />• Increased demands on medical and social services, jails, fire departments and law enforcement agencies
<br />• Additional pressure on educators, parents, units of government and communities as a whole
<br />OUR RESPONSE: The Initiative Foundation has been given a charge to respond to the emerging issues in our
<br />service area. Our Minnesota ICE (Intervention Care and Education) • A Rural Response to Methamphetamine
<br />initiative is designed to support the people of Central Minnesota and beyond. The goal is to bring the issue of
<br />methamphetamine to the forefront of public awareness as a community-wide problem, and identify community-
<br />wide solutions to tackle meth head-on across a number of fronts. The initiative includes the community coalition
<br />process, grants, an awareness campaign, resource kits and technical assistance. Methamphetamine is a clear and
<br />strong threat to the health and safety of our communities and its members. The consequences of its existence
<br />crosses over our priority areas of Fostering Environmental Health and Preservation; Promoting the Healthy
<br />Development for Children, Youth and Families; Retaining a Sense of Place; and Ensuring Economic Well
<br />Being for Communities. We believe that by coming along side communities, we can help prevent and reduce the
<br />incidence of meth production, use and distribution, and support families and communities as they deal with its
<br />devastating effects.
<br />OUR PRINCIPLES: We believe we can be most effective by:
<br />• Increasing awareness and providing education about methamphetamine.
<br />• Working in partnership with other agencies, organizations and individuals facing this issue.
<br />• Taking an asset-based approach to prevention, enforcement, education and treatment.
<br />• Building on existing community resources.
<br />PROGRAM COMPONENTS: Through our Methamphetamine Initiative, we will provide a combination of
<br />education, technical support, financial assistance and resource and referral services by:
<br />• Conducting educational workshops such as Meth Awareness 101 and Hope through Treatment.
<br />• Convening county-wide community coalitions.
<br />• Making community, multi-community and county-wide grants to identify and mobilize resources, and
<br />implement local prevention projects.
<br />• Developing and distributing resource guides and resource toolkits to schcols, communities, parents, employers
<br />and partnering organizations.
<br />• Creating a regional media campaign to include news stories, public service announcements, radio interviews,
<br />and opinion editorials.
<br />:40.9 I'nis~r Sriir:r:~r SI`.
<br />For more information, please contact:
<br />I.rrri.r: 15v.is. DiN :~i~8.=6,9
<br />Geri Pohlkamp
<br />Initiative Foundation ww„-.,,:,,,~N,,.~>ac:
<br />40_5 First Street SE, Little Falls, MN 56345 I'..,>~~.:: ,s~~o.u;+_.s~~~
<br />(320) 632-9255 or (877) 632-9255 toll-free
<br />Fax: (320) 632-9258 ''" ~`=° (''`= `"' ~"
<br />E-mail: gpohlkamp(a~.ifound.org
<br />Website: www.ifound.org ,.,«>~~~,~:~<.,~~~ ~:r~~•~.~>,~:~;.
<br />
|