Pubdate: Sun, 23 Apr 2006
Source: Daily Times, The (TN)
Copyright: 2006 Horvitz Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.thedailytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1455
Author: Jessica Stith
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN BEING MADE IN WORKPLACES

The Tennessee District Attorney General Conference is informing the 
state's workplaces about the horrible effects of methamphetamine.

The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the state 
Department of Labor are partnering with Tennessee's district 
attorneys in the Meth Destroys campaign.

The purpose of the partnership is to provide information and 
resources to educate employers and employees on the dangers of meth 
in the workplace and the effect it is having on the economy.

Information about meth and its effects will be distributed by the 
state chamber and labor department. Blount County District Attorney 
General Mike Flynn will be visiting local businesses and civic 
organizations to speak about the Meth Destroys campaign.

"We're trying to partner with many groups because meth affects so 
many different people," Flynn said. "We're looking to the work force 
and to employers, because people who are using meth are not great 
employees and can create major problems for the businesses they work with."

According to a District Attorney General Conference press release, 
methamphetamine abuse is affecting businesses due to absent 
employees, increasing turnover with personnel and workers' 
compensation claims. Employers will be educated about side effects of 
meth use such as paranoia, hallucinations, violence and theft.

Anti-meth and drug-free workplace materials will be distributed to 
more than 1,000 employers in the state who are chamber members. The 
Labor Department will also make the information available at meetings 
and training sessions.

The Meth Destroys campaign is a government-funded program intended to 
educate the state's 95 counties' schools, businesses and communities 
about the effects of methamphetamine. For more information visit 
www.MethFreeTN.org.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman