Posted: 10/5/05
From Chisago County Public Health
Communities battling methamphetamine seldom find anything positive about this highly addictive drug. But in tough times, citizens find ways to pull together and work to solve problems. As a result of methís dangerous and toxic effects, itís not hard to convince people that something needs to be done about this growing problem. Meth has brought a lot of attention to many Minnesota communities including Chisago which is not always the case with other drugs.
Professionals and experts from around the country have convened at numerous conferences to talk about whatís working, whatís not working and how do we start to address this epidemic in our local communities. Five years ago, very few people had even heard of methamphetamine.
Meth is made from readily available household products such as liquid drain cleaner, paint thinner and nasal decongestants. The waste from manufacturing meth is highly toxic and is illegally dumped on our rural roads and in our water systems. It is absorbed through the skin of small children who are exposed to the manufacturing and it poses risks to our medical responders and law enforcement personnel. It is easy to make, inexpensive and highly addictive.
Two years ago, a small committee gathered in Chisago County including professionals from Public Health, Human Services, courts and law enforcement to look at drafting an ordinance related to meth clean-up. Today that small committee has evolved to become the Chisago County Meth Task Force. Members have expanded to include community citizens, support group leaders, non-profit organizations, Hazelden, Fairview, county commissioners and school staff. ìWe have partnered with many of these agencies on other various projects in the past but not to this extent.î said Cyndi Carroll, Public Health educator and acting chair of the committee. ìIf there is one good thing that comes out of all this ugliness related to meth is that we have committed professionals and citizens who care a lot about this issue and want to see change in our communities.î
One of the main goals of the task force is to enlist the public in becoming the ìeyes and earsî in identifying meth related activity. By increasing community awareness, citizens can be educated to the point where they take the position: ìthis will not happen in my town.î
The task force has been providing education and awareness through various public forums offered around the county.
Other prevention efforts include educating retailers who sell products related to meth manufacturing, providing presentations to community groups and participating at events such as National Night Out and the county fair.
Recently the task force assisted in drafting an ordinance for the clean-up of meth labs and medical protocols for children found at lab sites.
The county board unanimously passed the ordinance in July of this year. Minnesota lawmakers were also successful during this yearís legislative session enacting a handful of laws directly related to meth activity.
The most significant legislation includes the sale of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. These products must be behind the counter where the public is not permitted and the number of packages sold is limited.
This fall the task force will continue to educate the community on the effects of meth as it relates specifically to businesses, rental/property owners, city councils and the schools.
The group will also act as a resource to property owners regarding safety and remediation issues. If you are interested in attending a meeting or would like more information, please contact Chisago County Public Health at (651) 213-0301.
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