Pubdate: Fri, 18 Aug 2006
Source: Cibola County Beacon (NM)
Copyright: 2006 Cibola County Beacon
Contact:  http://www.cibolabeacon.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3568
Author: Ilene Haluska
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH MADNESS: OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS DRUG PROBLEMS

CIBOLA COUNTY - More than 50 city, village and county officials 
attended and several testified at a methamphetamine awareness 
discussion in early August at Grants City Hall.

Facilitated by U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, R-Dist. 2, the 
discussion resulted in unofficial plans to combat methamphetamine 
abuse through local ordinances, training, law enforcement and drug 
treatment. Pearce said he expects to have an official report for 
Cibola officials this fall, so that officials can determine which 
programs they need to start or expand.

Pearce noted that Cibola County has already done a significant amount 
of work on the meth problem. For example, he said the county is one 
of the only ones he has encountered on his tour of the state, with a 
teenager on its staff for teen court. Nicola Martinez, a certified 
preventionist from the Cibola County Teen Court program, and DWI 
Program Director Rhetta King are addressing prevention strategies and 
education suitable for Cibola County youths and adults.

"The solutions need to be locally driven," Pearce told them. Grants 
Mayor Joe Murietta told the congressman and the audience that the 
meth problem needs to be stopped before it gets worse. However, 
Pearce later pointed out that the war on drugs has been going on for 
more than 20 years.

Pearce advised the group not to wait for Santa Fe or Washington to 
provide curriculums or direction because each community has different 
demographics.

There is a point where addicts cannot go back and reclaim their 
innocence, the congressman said. "If we did not do something ... our 
kids' ... heart and soul will be eaten out."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman