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UTAH COUNTY DECLARES METH AWARENESS DAY

For the second year running, Utah County will observe National Methamphetamine Awareness Day on Nov.  30.

Utah County Commissioner Gary Anderson, Spanish Fork Mayor Joe Thomas, Mrs.  Utah 2007 Tiffany Berg and State Rep.  Mike Morley will speak at a dedicatory service in Spanish Fork that day.

Methamphetamine Awareness Day comes in the midst of "End Meth Now," a 10-month campaign that began in September to provide treatment and information about methamphetamines to Utah County citizens.

Methamphetamine abuse is the leading problem for women entering treatment programs at the Utah County Division of Substance Abuse.  The Division of Substance Abuse program admitted 1,200 women for methamphetamine abuse treatment in the last five years.

That is 25 percent more than men, although twice as many men enter drug treatment overall, said Richard Nance, director of the Division of Substance Abuse.

In Utah, women of child-bearing age are major users of methamphetamines.  According to research, women with young children tend not to seek treatment because they are concerned about taking care of their children.

"The effect it's got on these women and families is destructive to our society on so many levels," said County Commissioner Gary Anderson.

According to state and national surveys, almost 10,000 Utah County citizens suffer from drug or alcohol problems.

"There is no more important work in this county," Anderson said about the Substance Abuse Division's treatment efforts.

Today, a new program will be dedicated in Spanish Fork to help residents in the southern section of the county have easier access to treatment.  Until now, treatment was only available in Provo and Orem.

The new Promise of Women and Families South Program will accommodate patients' childcare, transportation, housing, education and employment needs.  It will double treatment capacity in the county, Director Richard Nance said.

The new facility will be dedicated at 1 p.m.  and the open house will be from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

For more information about methamphetamine abuse in Utah, go to www.endmethnow.org.