Helena Independant Record - November 30, 2006
A day to think about meth By MIKE McGRATH - 11/30/06 The U.S. Department of Justice is sponsoring “National Methamphetamine Awareness Day” today, Nov. 30.Montanans have long been aware of meth and the problems that accompany it. Indeed, in many ways, Montana is well ahead of the rest of the country. In recent years, Montana lawmakers have passed the most comprehensive package of anti-methamphetamine legislation in the country, addressing treatment, drug courts, restrictions on meth precursors and indoor cleanup standards for lab sites.
Numbers of clandestine meth labs were on the way down and have continued to drop dramatically, and awareness is better than ever thanks to programs like the Montana Meth Project, MethFreeMT.org and countless local, tribal and community initiatives.
More and more jurisdictions are using drug courts in substance-abuse cases, and in 2007, Montana lawmakers will be asked to approve additional support for drug courts. These courts combine intensive supervision with drug testing, sanctions and rewards to try to reduce recidivism and rehabilitate drug users.
So while some Montanans have grown tired of hearing about meth, there is still more to learn and more challenges to come.
Drug-Endangered Children So far this year, conferences held by the Montana Drug-Endangered Children Alliance have attracted nearly 200 people including chemical dependency counselors, judges, nurses, school counselors, probation and parole officers, daycare workers and others n from across Montana, including representatives from five Montana tribes.
The conferences addressed child abuse investigations, medical assessments of drug-endangered children, psychological and social needs of these children, prosecution of cases involving drug-endangered kids and lab safety.
They help develop a coordinated response involving law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, health experts and medical personnel.
The conferences have been a success, and the alliance has received eight more requests for training.
The Bridge Program
For many years, the state’s Bridge Program has helped recovering mothers, fathers and their children by paying for services that may not be covered by public assistance. The program helps support four residential recovery homes in the state by funding dental care, transportation, medical evaluations, even school supplies, winter coats and swimming lessons.
Most recently, in light of changes made to the requirements for eligibility for Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), the Bridge Program is covering housing expenses that were previously met by TANF.
The program is a creative way to help the families who need it the most. The homes provide a healthy, nurturing, drug-free environment where adults can get the treatment they need while learning how to be better parents to their children.
Get Involved
While meth enforcement, prevention and treatment are still crucial, the state’s next challenge is to help Montana children and families affected by meth.
There is always a need for mentors and role models through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Weed and Seed and Boys and Girls Clubs. Without question, meaningful relationships with adults have a significant impact on a child, and mentoring programs like these can make a difference.
About one-third of the more than 2,000 children in the state’s foster care system are there because the adults in their lives used meth. In some larger cities, the number of children needing foster care far exceeds the number of available licensed foster parents. These children need more Montana families to step forward to provide safety, stability and support.
Today is certainly a time for Montana communities to be proud of the steps they’ve taken against methamphetamine, and it is also a day to look toward what lies ahead. There’s still work to be done.
Mike McGrath is Montana’s Attorney General.
Sherri D. Rafter Montana Supreme Court Court Assessment Program Coordinator 301 S. Park Ave. Suite 328 PO Box 203006 Helena, MT 59620-3006 Office: (406) 841-2970 FAX: (406) 841-2955
Rescue. Defend. Shelter. Support.