Meth Task Force Releases Report
Crystal methamphetamine is a problem that's been affecting this area for a
number of years and is a problem that's getting worse with each passing year.
However, members of a local committee, who hope to conquer this issue, have
released their recommendations for how to deal with the drug problem.
The Marshall County Methamphetamine Task Force, which was formed in December
2001 to investigate the issue of methamphetamine use, possession, distribution
and/or manufacture and assess its impact upon the community, has worked for the
last 18 months developing their recommendations for tackling this disturbing
problem.
District Attorney Steve Marshall, who is one of the persons responsible for the
formation of the Task Force, announced the group's ideas Friday during a press
conference held in the Marshall County Commission Chambers at the courthouse in
Guntersville.
Marshall said the committee, through their "countless hours of work," came to
the conclusion that no single recommendation will solve the numerous problems
associated with this drug.
Rather, he said, the Task Force decided this is a problem that should be
targeted by addressing specific issues in very specific ways.
"We have to target our efforts," Marshall said.
Therefore, the Task Force decided proposals to address issues of prevention,
treatment and prosecution are necessary, but should include an emphasis on
identifying ways to prevent the use of drugs by young adults.
In addition, the recommendations also attempt to build upon other programs
currently in place that have proven to be successful.
"Drug Court is a shining example of this, and I think it's an indication of
where Marshall County is ahead of other areas in this state. The recidivism
rate for those who come through Drug Court is about 10 percent while the
statewide average is about 60 to 70 percent," Marshall said.
One of the most important issues to come out of the Task Force's work, Marshall
said, is the realization the effort to address this problem is not solely one
that can be taken on only by law enforcement but will require the time, efforts
and dedication of the entire community. "If the community looks to law
enforcement to do this alone, then we'll never get ahead of the curve," he said.
As part of the force's long-range planning goals, they hope to form a non-profit
corporation, which would be named Drug Free Marshall County. The corporation
would seek grant funding and serve as a coordinating body on drug-related issues
throughout the county as well as collect data on methamphetamine use, public
health, crime and other societal costs.
Marshall said the Task Force has applied for a drug-free community grant that
would be used to specifically target young people. Because they haven't
received word as to whether the grant has been approved, Marshall said they
haven't formed the non-profit corp.
"There is a question as to under which umbrella the corporation would have to be
formed. We're waiting on the grant, which we hope will give us some direction
on that, he said.
The Merchants Against Meth program is one the Task Force has not only received
"wonderful feedback" on but also hope to build upon. The program provides local
retailers with a list of precursor chemicals used for the manufacture of crystal
meth and offers training for employees regarding these issues.
"The Merchants Against Meth program really has a two-fold purpose. One is to
help us identify significant numbers of people who are buying precursor
chemicals, and another is to make it a little more difficult for customers to
buy significant quantities of precursor chemicals," Marshall said.
Because of the program, Marshall said, several local retailers have begun
placing chemicals that are used to make meth on shelves out of the customers'
reach, thereby forcing those who want the products to request assistance in
obtaining them. In addition, Marshall said the Task Force is training merchants
to sell such products only to customers who "will use them for legitimate
purposes."
Another recommendation of the group will be put into effect before the end of
next month. Marshall said they plan to implement a county-wide human resources
training program, which will be provided to personnel managers and smaller
companies as a means to assisting them in either upgrading or establishing drug
testing policies and awareness.
The Task Force also plans to continue promoting public awareness of the problem
by continuing to host town meetings. However, those meetings, Marshall said,
will have to be more focused than the meetings held last year throughout the
county.
In order to provide current information regarding crystal meth and its impact
upon the entire community, Marshall said the group hopes to utilize state-wide
resources in more comprehensive ways, a move that should enable them to better
reach residents of the county and teach them to be part of the solution.
One of the ways the Task Force hopes to accomplish this is by providing, by the
end of this year, a Website on which people can access drug-related information
and resources. The Website would be developed in conjunction with Drug Free
Marshall County.
In addition, the group plans to request the Marshall County Legislative
Delegation seek to modify the Code of Alabama by reestablishing mandatory
minimum sentences for trafficking offenses, and make it so the five-year
enhancement provision for individuals convicted of distribution of controlled
substances within three miles of a public school or public housing project shall
not be subject to suspension or probation.
It is also the wish of the Task Force to recommend the creation a state-wide
commission to direct methamphetamine-based strategy, recommend legislation
restricting the purchase of excessive amounts of precursor chemicals that could
be used to make meth and recommend to the Congressional Delegation the federal
government assist the pharmaceutical industry in developing an adulterant for
pseudoephedrine that would prohibit its use in methamphetamine production.
Another recommendation of the group has already been implemented. Marshall has
recently spoke at several local churches to teach parents how to talk to their
children about drug use. Those meetings, he said, have had positive results,
and he plans to continue them.
Plans are also in the works to work with community-based institution and
employers to distribute educational materials as another means of reaching
parents so has to enhance their awareness of the signs and dangers of drug use
and help them take action to protect their children.
Additionally, the group hopes to develop a comprehensive public awareness
campaign for employers that will be designed to promote the creation of
drug-free workplace policies and employee assistance programs, which include
referrals to substance abuse treatment and prevention services.
In order to meet their goal of reaching young people with information about
crystal meth, the Task Force recommends using older students - high school
juniors and seniors - as mentors. Marshall said the students would be trained
to speak to junior high and elementary students about why it's important to
remain drug-free. Students chosen for the mentor program would be local
schools' best and brightest, Marshall said.
"One conclusion we can to is that kids do not want to listen to a bunch of
adults come in and tell them why drugs are bad," Marshall said.
It's also important, the group concluded, that by the end of the year, all
schools in Marshall County adopt a "consistent and comprehensive program for
student drug testing."
"This is my perspective, but I advocate this because it would give a kid an
additional reason to say no. Hanging the threat of drug testing over them would
allow a young person to resist peer pressure," Marshall said.
As for dealing with the law enforcement side of the issue, the committee
recommends formulating a mechanism to provide immediate access to immigration
officials and increase the ease with which offenders may be deported in order to
speed the process of addressing illegal aliens participating in methamphetamine
trafficking.
"The Hispanic community is not the reason for the drug problem in Marshall
County, but it allows more access to the drug, which is coming in from out of
state. We know this is kind of a 'pie in the sky' recommendation because the
INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) is handicapped by (the lack of)
resources, but we believe this is an issue that hurts Marshall County," he said.
In addition, the Task Force plans to form by the end of July a Citizen's Academy
directed toward senior citizens over the age of 50, who would assist in the
identification of illegal drug traffickers and illegal drug activity.
The issuance of the committee’s recommendations does not reflect the end of the
Task Force's work. Marshall said, over the coming months, the group will
monitor the implementation of their recommendations and ultimately engage in an
evaluations of the results.
Marshall said he is very proud of the Task Force for the work they've done in
formulating these recommendations and thinks they will push this county to the
forefront of this issue.
"I believe they have come up with a plan that will make a difference in Marshall
County and will put us ahead of other counties likewise facing the same issue,"
he said.
Pubdate: April 22, 2003
Copyright: 2003 Sand Mountain Reporter.
Contact:
cliff@sandmountainreporter.com
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