. . . in the community

Community action is among the most efficient methods of drug abuse prevention. When the
prevention focus is local - a county, town, school district or even neighborhood, it's power is magnified.

Some signs of drug activity include:

• Increase in neighborhood crime including burglary, robbery, identity theft, car prowls, and reports of stolen mail.
• Unusual amount of traffic at one house with cars usually staying for short periods of time.
• Neighbors who are awake and active for days at a time.
• Neighbors engaged in unusual activities including disassembling cars or appliances for no apparent reason.
• A neighborhood house with bizarre security practices stemming from paranoia.
• Neighbors who only smoke outside.
• Visitors running in and out of a home carrying backpacks or unusual plastic bags.
• Domestic violence, neglected children, and even gunfire.
• Homes with the windows blacked out.
• Newly acquired "guard" dogs.
• Tennis shoes hanging from a telephone wire is an underground signal for drug sale and activity.

Start by talking with your neighbors about meeting together to form a group dedicated to working with law enforcement to monitor activity in the neighborhood. For information on how to start such a group and what you can do, Lead-On America provides some helpful suggestions. For information on how to start a neighborhood watch program go to USA on Watch.

. . . local resources

Are you interested in having us present to your neighborhood group,

club, or a group of friends?

We have brief presentations (Meth 360 (Now PACT 360) and Rx 360) on the effects of prescription drugs and methamphetamine abuse, how to prevent kids from using drugs, and how to access treatment.  Call us today to schedule a presentation.

TOGETHER!
A Youth Violence, Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Prevention non-profit organization in Thurston County.
360-493-2230
____________________________________________________

Thurston County Public Health & Social Services
Provides prevention services and publically funded treatment services in Thurston County
360-867-2509

. . . outside links

• Meth Resources - State and national information

• National Meth Center - Resources for parents, teachers, law enforcement, and treatment professionals or neighborhood activists hoping to mobilize against meth

• NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) -  Alcohol/drug educational resources

• Office of National Drug Control Policy - Publications, programs, and drug facts

• Oregon Partnership Tackling Meth -  Helping YOU reduce meth use in your community

• PBS - The Meth Epidemic -  An investigation into how and why meth use spiraled out of control and became the fastest-growing drug abuse problem in America

• The Meth Project -  Large scale prevention program to reduce first-time meth use

• Too Smart to Start - An alcohol use prevention initiative for parents, educators, tweens, teens, and families

• US Drug Enforcement Administration -  Drug facts and data