Pubdate: Mon, 13 Feb 2006
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2006 East Valley Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Mary K. Reinhart
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

METH 'SUMMIT' TARGETS ABUSE

Arizona policymakers and national experts vow to leave the 
methamphetamine horror stories at home as they spend two days sharing 
strategies on how to beat the scourge responsible for about 
one-fourth of all substance abuse treatment in the state, including 
onein-10 children.

Related Links Today's Top Stories 
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The state-sponsored conference that begins today in Phoenix combines 
treatment, prevention and law enforcement approaches to combating 
methamphetamine, emphasizing what's working.

"Our hope is that people walk away with the sense that something can 
be done," said Christy Dye, who heads the Bureau of Substance Abuse 
Treatment and Prevention for the state Department of Health Services. 
"Don't just come to talk about how bad it is. What can people do when 
they go home?"

About 700 people are expected at the conference, headlined by Gov. 
Janet Napolitano and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. Goddard 
will join state attorneys general from Oklahoma, Montana and North 
Dakota to tout legislation regulating the sale of over-the-counter 
cold medications.

The Legislature last session watered down such a bill, patterned 
after an Oklahoma law that proponents say has drastically reduced 
meth production there.

Reducing supply is only part of the solution, however, and experts 
will discuss successful treatment methods and prevention strategies 
such as public awareness campaigns. Communities also will learn ways 
to build support for anti-meth plans among local groups, including 
schools, parents and faithbased organizations.

"We have the will in the state now," said Frank Scarpati, chief 
executive officer of Community Bridges, a Mesa substance-abuse 
treatment center. "The governor has the will to do something. The 
Legislature has the will to do something. Now we need a plan, and it 
needs to be nonpartisan."

Scottsdale was among cities that jumped on the bandwagon in November 
to vie for planning grant money in advance of the conference, 
inviting Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Fountain Hills and 
the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian 
Community to join the city in developing an anti-meth plan.

Days earlier, the City Council had approved an ordinance, in effect 
today, to regulate sales of cold medications such as Sudafed and 
Claritin that contain pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient for producing 
meth in illegal labs.

Phoenix already has a similar ordinance. Apache Junction's ordinance 
takes effect March 1 and other East Valley municipalities are 
considering similar ordinances.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman