|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday,
June 13, 2005
| Contact: |
Julianna
Miljour,
Mason
County
Drug Abuse Prevention, 360-427-1686 |
|
John
Tennis,
Thurston
County
Methamphetamine Coalition, 360-709-3073 |
|
Kathy
Raettig, TOGETHER! 360-493-2230 Ext. 16 |
Mason
and Thurston Counties Host Methamphetamine Conference
Shelton
– Dozens of
South Puget Sound
officials are gathering this Thursday at a conference regarding the highly
addictive drug methamphetamine. The
purpose of the conference, to be held at the Little Creek Casino, is to share
information regarding strategies used to combat the problems caused by meth.
John Tennis, of the Thurston County Methamphetamine Coalition, says
cooperation is the key to fighting the meth problem
“This drug has so many adverse impacts on the community including
addiction, environmental pollution, child neglect, and increases in all types
of crime, that it makes absolute sense that we all share ideas on how to
improve the situation.” Attendees
represent all types of agencies including law enforcement, tribal, treatment,
child welfare, prosecution and social services.
Informational sessions planned
for the daylong conference include-
·
Drug Court.
·
Environmental impacts of meth labs and cleanup.
·
Safety for emergency responders who may run into a meth lab.
·
Treatment for meth addiction-with nationally known researcher
Alice Huber.
·
Fraud and identity theft.
·
Meth and child endangerment.
Julianna
Miljour of the Mason County Drug Abuse Prevention Program says interest in the
conference demonstrates that the meth problem is still a major challenge.
“We had about 100 spaces for conference attendees and we filled up
very quickly. We have made strides
the past few years but we still face real problems from labs, in providing
treatment for addicts and in cutting down on meth-related crime.”
The
Mason-Thurston Methamphetamine Conference is sponsored by Mason County Drug
Abuse Prevention, Mason County Meth Action Team, Thurston County
Methamphetamine Coalition and TOGETHER! Funding
is provided by the state Department of Community Trade and Economic
Development and the Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program.
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