Meth Workshop Offers Info, Seeks Solutions
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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"Meth 2010: Killing A Community" will be conducted in two sessions - one at 10 a.m. for professionals and businesses, and one at 7 p.m. for the general public.
Both sessions will be at Center Lake Pavilion.
The event will be presented by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Serenity House, United Way of Kosciusko County and Bowen Center, said Jeff "Hoss" Smith, manager of Serenity House.
Kosciusko County ranks in the top three counties in the state for meth labs. Numerous newspaper stories chronicle the effect of meth on the community - meth lab busts, meth-related explosions and fires and damage to property, Smith said.
The drug also takes a toll on children who come into contact with the toxic chemicals used in meth production by their parents, neighbors and relatives. Curious kids come in contact with used "one-pot" meth labs dumped along the road by meth cookers.
Organizers of "Meth 2010" note that all of these things are happening right here in Kosciusko County. They also say the problem will only grow if it isn't addressed.
"Attend the seminar if you want to be informed about the problem and learn how you can help eliminate it," said Mary Gerard, community impact coordinator for the United Way.
There will be presentations given by the Kosciusko Drug Task Force, and Indiana State police lab technicians will be present to answer questions.
Management from the Serenity House Rehab Center and the Bowen Center also will be available to discuss current treatment methods.
The panel of professionals will include representatives from the legal and medical perspectives of this communitywide problem.
A former addict and meth cooker also will be attending to answer questions and give his perspective on the meth problem.
There will be materials available to take home.
The Indiana General Assembly assigned a study committee to look into this problem in June and local state legislators will be attending.
Organizers believe that making the key ingredient in meth production - pseudoephedrine - available by prescription only has the potential to halt the problem.
"This is a critical matter. This is happening right here in our community every day," Gerard said. "Hiding it or pretending it doesn't exist is not the answer. We need a coordinated effort and an action plan."
Being informed is the first step in "eliminating this affliction from our community. And after September 15, when people see the despair meth causes, we think they'll want to do more."[[In-content Ad]]
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"Meth 2010: Killing A Community" will be conducted in two sessions - one at 10 a.m. for professionals and businesses, and one at 7 p.m. for the general public.
Both sessions will be at Center Lake Pavilion.
The event will be presented by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Serenity House, United Way of Kosciusko County and Bowen Center, said Jeff "Hoss" Smith, manager of Serenity House.
Kosciusko County ranks in the top three counties in the state for meth labs. Numerous newspaper stories chronicle the effect of meth on the community - meth lab busts, meth-related explosions and fires and damage to property, Smith said.
The drug also takes a toll on children who come into contact with the toxic chemicals used in meth production by their parents, neighbors and relatives. Curious kids come in contact with used "one-pot" meth labs dumped along the road by meth cookers.
Organizers of "Meth 2010" note that all of these things are happening right here in Kosciusko County. They also say the problem will only grow if it isn't addressed.
"Attend the seminar if you want to be informed about the problem and learn how you can help eliminate it," said Mary Gerard, community impact coordinator for the United Way.
There will be presentations given by the Kosciusko Drug Task Force, and Indiana State police lab technicians will be present to answer questions.
Management from the Serenity House Rehab Center and the Bowen Center also will be available to discuss current treatment methods.
The panel of professionals will include representatives from the legal and medical perspectives of this communitywide problem.
A former addict and meth cooker also will be attending to answer questions and give his perspective on the meth problem.
There will be materials available to take home.
The Indiana General Assembly assigned a study committee to look into this problem in June and local state legislators will be attending.
Organizers believe that making the key ingredient in meth production - pseudoephedrine - available by prescription only has the potential to halt the problem.
"This is a critical matter. This is happening right here in our community every day," Gerard said. "Hiding it or pretending it doesn't exist is not the answer. We need a coordinated effort and an action plan."
Being informed is the first step in "eliminating this affliction from our community. And after September 15, when people see the despair meth causes, we think they'll want to do more."[[In-content Ad]]
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