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Prevention / Treatment Initiatives : Focus on Methamphetamine by Steve Freng |
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April 2000 |
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As the NW HIDTA Threat Assessment moves toward submission to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, it is clear that the importation, manufacture, distribution and consumption of methamphetamine has become a priority issue throughout the region. In keeping with the NW HIDTA strategy that will address this issue, this article focuses on the demand reduction efforts and projects that have been developed in response to this alarming threat to our communities. A review of the client characteristics for the Drug Court programs throughout the region provides a revealing picture of the prevalence of methamphetamine use among persons who are involved in the criminal justice system. Drug Courts are now operational in six of the seven NW HIDTA counties, with the seventh nearing implementation. Collectively, these programs are serving approximately 750 offenders at any point in time. It is estimated that at least 30-40% of this caseload is comprised of persons with primary addictions to methamphetamine, compared to 10-15% of the caseload served by the broader public treatment system. Clearly, Drug Court programs have become a principal resource for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction in the region, and have the potential to play a significant role in reversing current trends in consumption and related criminal activity. In regard to methamphetamine prevention efforts, Project S.A.F.E., the HIDTA-supported program developed and implemented by the Thurston County TOGETHER! coalition, has become a model for other communities and organizations. Project S.A.F.E. was designed in 1998 by a collaborative effort between law enforcement, service providers and educators to mobilize and educate citizens to assume greater responsibility for the prevention of drug related crime in their neighborhoods. The project was originally organized to provide prevention information to citizens by means of a mobile unit configured for participation in community events, school open houses, fairs and other public events. However, Project S.A.F.E. staff soon discerned strong concerns about methamphetamine and in 1998 developed a brief educational presentation designed to increase citizen abilities to recognize and respond to potential methamphetamine hazards. The methamphetamine Safety Education Program has quickly attracted high demand and has taken Project S.A.F.E. staff to venues throughout the Puget Sound region. During the first six months following the introduction of the curriculum, Project S.A.F.E. staff have presented the Program at 41 events, involving the attendance of over 1,200 persons. Clearly, the content and the presentation of the Program meets a significant need within the community; the NW HIDTA is now considering ways in which the Program’s availability can be expanded throughout the region. The remaining element of the NW HIDTA strategy addressing reductions in the demand as well as the supply of methamphetamine entails efforts to provide public education and to raise citizen awareness of the issue throughout the region. The activities comprising this element involve the use of each medium of communication. With reference to print materials, the NW HIDTA disseminates brochures and posters originally developed by the Midwest HIDTA as components of their “Life or Meth” campaign. Featuring a wealth of information and well-designed images, these materials have been provided to thousands of individuals and organizations, including each of the public and private middle schools and high schools in the NW HIDTA region. In addition to targeted mailings, they are also provided on request; inquiries should be directed to the Washington State Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse at 1.800.662.9111. Posters for retailers, particularly those that carry products used as precursors in the production of methamphetamine, have been designed in collaboration with the Washington State Narcotics Investigators Association and are also available through the Clearinghouse. Several projects have been implemented in the area of electronic media, foremost being the “M-Files” website (www.mfiles.org), developed in collaboration with the Office of the Washington State Lieutenant Governor. Although initially focused on marijuana, the M-Files has been significantly expanded to include a range of content regarding methamphetamine, with introduction of the expanded section of the website scheduled for April. In addition, production of a compact disk and companion resource guide is underway; the CD will provide 15 minutes of information intended for parents and adults, and will be distributed as a reference to attendees of Project S.A.F.E. presentations, NW HIDTA-sponsored trainings, and will also be available through the Washington State Clearinghouse. For more information regarding NW HIDTA Prevention/Treatment activities, please contact Steve Freng at 206.352.3603 or at sfreng@nw.hidta.org. Inside this issue: |