Support, Advocacy Group Continues Fight Against Meth
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
Indiana Against Meth held a meeting Saturday morning at the Munson Building in Warsaw to talk about what is being done and what still needs to be done concerning the meth problem.
Amber Blackford and Annie Zartman started the group first as a support group for family members and addicts dealing with the effects of meth.
The group was called Mothers Against Methamphetamine Abuse but it's since been changed to I AM to include a wider scope of people.
Saturday's meeting served as part informational and organizational and part support.
The group is looking to expand its presence at events like parades and the county fair.
One thing the group is striving for is for state lawmakers to make PSE's prescription-only.
Mary Gerard, community impact coordinator for the United Way, said that PSEs were prescription until 1976.
"It's like we're trying to put the genie back in the bottle," said Gerard.
Gerard noted some recent meth-related arrests involved children at the scene having to be taken away by Child Protective Services.
"The children that are being affected is heartbreaking," said Gerard.
Blackford and Zartman know first-hand about the dangers of meth as they both have children who have struggled with the drug.
A part of the group's focus is to provide a place for family members of meth addicts to go and share their stories.
Several people on hand not only had children with meth addictions but were recovering alcoholics and drug addicts themselves.
Several parents talked about the importance of using 12-step programs to help meth addicts.
Blackford said a big reason why she got involved was to erase the stigma of families dealing with meth abuse.
Blackford is a lawyer in Warsaw.
"I'm not going to let society blame me," said Blackford. "This drug has no socio-economic boundary. If we let it fester it's going to eat all our families at some point."
The group touched on several topics Saturday morning.
Blackford told the group that she is currently trying to raise $850 to complete IRS paperwork to make I AM a 501-C-3.
The group was also urged to bring in other people to create a wide umbrella of people with different backgrounds to help grow the group.
The group is currently looking for someone to help build their online presence, which would also include a website.
Everyone in attendance Saturday was also encouraged to get in contact with their state representatives.
A list of state representatives is available at www.in.gov
I AM will hold another meeting Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Munson Building.
The Munson Building is at 216 N. Lake St., Warsaw, across from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
For more information, visit killingacommunity.com
Donations to I AM can be sent to Indiana Against Meth at 216 W. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, IN or call 574-551-8308.[[In-content Ad]]
Indiana Against Meth held a meeting Saturday morning at the Munson Building in Warsaw to talk about what is being done and what still needs to be done concerning the meth problem.
Amber Blackford and Annie Zartman started the group first as a support group for family members and addicts dealing with the effects of meth.
The group was called Mothers Against Methamphetamine Abuse but it's since been changed to I AM to include a wider scope of people.
Saturday's meeting served as part informational and organizational and part support.
The group is looking to expand its presence at events like parades and the county fair.
One thing the group is striving for is for state lawmakers to make PSE's prescription-only.
Mary Gerard, community impact coordinator for the United Way, said that PSEs were prescription until 1976.
"It's like we're trying to put the genie back in the bottle," said Gerard.
Gerard noted some recent meth-related arrests involved children at the scene having to be taken away by Child Protective Services.
"The children that are being affected is heartbreaking," said Gerard.
Blackford and Zartman know first-hand about the dangers of meth as they both have children who have struggled with the drug.
A part of the group's focus is to provide a place for family members of meth addicts to go and share their stories.
Several people on hand not only had children with meth addictions but were recovering alcoholics and drug addicts themselves.
Several parents talked about the importance of using 12-step programs to help meth addicts.
Blackford said a big reason why she got involved was to erase the stigma of families dealing with meth abuse.
Blackford is a lawyer in Warsaw.
"I'm not going to let society blame me," said Blackford. "This drug has no socio-economic boundary. If we let it fester it's going to eat all our families at some point."
The group touched on several topics Saturday morning.
Blackford told the group that she is currently trying to raise $850 to complete IRS paperwork to make I AM a 501-C-3.
The group was also urged to bring in other people to create a wide umbrella of people with different backgrounds to help grow the group.
The group is currently looking for someone to help build their online presence, which would also include a website.
Everyone in attendance Saturday was also encouraged to get in contact with their state representatives.
A list of state representatives is available at www.in.gov
I AM will hold another meeting Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. at the Munson Building.
The Munson Building is at 216 N. Lake St., Warsaw, across from Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
For more information, visit killingacommunity.com
Donations to I AM can be sent to Indiana Against Meth at 216 W. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, IN or call 574-551-8308.[[In-content Ad]]
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