Pubdate: Tue, 21 Oct 2008 Source: Camp Verde Bugle, The (AZ) Copyright: 2008 Western News&Info, Inc. Contact: http://campverdebugleonline.com/Formlayout.asp?formcall=userform&form=1 Website: http://campverdebugleonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4914 Author: Terry Goddard, Arizona Attorney General Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MY TURN: WINNING THE METH FIGHT Each October, we observe Red Ribbon Week to honor the sacrifice of DEA Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camerena, who died fighting to stop criminal enterprises from smuggling illegal drugs into the U.S. Each year, we rededicate ourselves to drug prevention programs that help keep our schools and neighborhoods safe and healthy. While we must work to combat all illegal drugs in our state, one drug - methamphetamine - still demands extra efforts. Meth devastates users as well as their family, friends and neighbors. It is the No. 1 problem facing Arizona law enforcement, since it is the proximate cause of more than 70 percent of violent and property crimes. An amazing 65 percent of all child abuse and neglect cases handled in this office cite meth as the major contributing factor. Meth burdens our schools, our health care providers, our businesses and our prisons. Two new studies, however, show that Arizona has made substantial progress against this deadly drug. The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission recently released its 2008 Arizona Youth Survey, a bi-annual study of substance abuse and other high-risk youth behavior in Arizona. According to the survey, youth methamphetamine use has declined by more than 50 percent in many categories over the past two years. In all statewide categories measured, meth use declined between 39 and 65 percent. This survey comes on the heels of another milestone. In August, the Governor's Methamphetamine Task Force reported that the number of clandestine meth lab incidents in Arizona decreased from 254 in 2002 to only eight in 2007. These dramatic achievements are the result of coordinated efforts at the local, state and federal level, including: - Pseudoephedrine restrictions. Since 2006, 44 Arizona cities and towns have restricted over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in making meth. The Governor's task force report noted that the sharp decrease in meth labs is a direct result of these local restrictions. - Public awareness campaigns. Advertising campaigns, such as the gritty Arizona Meth Project, are educating young people about the damage meth does to their bodies, family and peers as well as the potential to cause addiction with only one use. - Community partnerships. In virtually all Arizona communities, anti-meth coalitions have aggressively pursued those who cook and sell meth. They have also reached out through professional conferences, public events and advocacy networks to create broad-based local support for the fight against meth. - Educational programs. Projects such as the Boys & Girls Clubs' MethSMART program are taking an interactive approach to teaching young people about meth's dangers. While Arizona's children and communities are less at risk today than they were two years ago, our work is far from over. We must pass statewide pseudoephedrine restrictions to keep precursor chemicals out of the hands of meth cooks in all parts of our state. We must strengthen partnerships between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement to stop the flow of meth from Mexico's "superlabs" into Arizona. And, we need to expand treatment programs for those caught in this drug's pernicious grip. Arizona's continued success depends on collective effort-elected officials, social service agencies, law enforcement, health care professionals, tribal officials, grass roots organizations, neighborhood activists, clergy, parents and teachers - working together to address prevention, enforcement and treatment. I am very encouraged by our impressive progress to date and optimistic about our ability to finish the job. By working together, we can bring Arizona's meth problem under control for good. Terry Goddard is the Arizona Attorney General.