Pubdate: Wed, 28 Nov 2007
Source: Daily Universe (Brigham Young U, UT Edu)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily Universe
Contact:  http://newsnet.byu.edu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3970
Author: Marie Magleby
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

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.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath