Pubdate: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY) Copyright: 2001 Messenger-Inquirer Contact: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285 Author: Mike Baggett ANTI-DRUG GROUP FOCUSES ON STRATEGIC PLAN Group Wants Statistics To Help Shape Direction A local grassroots organization committed to fighting the war on drugs says it needs to develop a strategic plan to pinpoint which controlled substances are being abused in the community. Champions for a Drug Free Owensboro-Daviess County met Thursday at the River Valley Behavioral Health training room, looked at what drug problems the community is facing and took the initial step of forming a team to do something about the problems. Debbie Haley, prevention specialist at River Valley, said among the data needed to identify problems are statistics from Owensboro and Daviess County school systems. "We need the school data to see what youth are at risk of here and what kind of prevention steps can be taken," Haley said. "Then we can see if the problem is teen drinking, methamphetamine or just a lack of treatment." Haley said she'd like to see statistics compiled that are comparable to a Kentucky youth risk behavior survey conducted from 1997-99. The survey has useful information as to how the state compares nationally but doesn't include local statistics. Once the data are collected, Champions can develop a strategic plan that will include education and environmental strategies. "But we can't go to people with our strategies without the data, and that's why gathering it is so important," Haley said. Several experts on drug usage and prevention spoke during the meeting, including Circuit Court Judge Tom Castlen; Mike Todd, director of substance abuse services at River Valley; Dianne McFarling, early intervention specialist at River Valley; Daviess County Sheriff Detective Sgt. Jim Acquisto and Sgt. Connie Chapman of the Owensboro Police Department special enforcement unit. Castlen touted the success of the Daviess County Drug Court that began in January. He also provided statistics that painted a picture of prisons not replacing the rehabilitation most inmates need. While drug courts across the nation have been successful, Castlen said, they aren't for everybody, and funding and manpower limit who can participate . Todd said River Valley is plagued by the same problems, especially since many insurance companies stopped picking up the tab on drug rehabilitation programs for family members. Todd said community understanding of drug addiction is lacking. "People need a better understanding of what addiction is," Todd said. "Most people don't understand it unless they work closely with it or see it first hand." Acquisto and Chapman touched on the community's methamphetamine epidemic. "Everybody is involved with the drug problem," Acquisto said. Chapman said education and rehabilitation are two keys to battling the problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh