Pubdate: Fri, 12 Dec 2008
Source: Pantagraph, The  (Bloomington, IL)
Copyright: 2008 Pantagraph Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pantagraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/643
Author: Kevin Barlow
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DEWITT COUNTY GETS GRANT FOR ANTI-METH EDUCATION MATERIAL

CLINTON -- The fight against methamphetamine use in DeWitt County will get 
a boost from a grant through the University of Illinois and DeWitt County 
Human Resource Center.

"Being in a rural county, it's sometimes very difficult to find grant money 
for meth abuse because much of that is targeted for the urban areas," said 
Helen Michelassi, prevention program manager at HRC.

"We haven't been able to do much with meth abuse education because of that, 
and we feel very fortunate that we are going to be able to do work on that."

The grant is for $5,790 and will be used on billboards and anti-meth 
education material. Both youth and parents will be targeted through the 
education materials, said Teen Reach program director Tina Baxter.

"We will be sending out information packets to help identify 
methamphetamines so people can identify the warning signs of those who 
might be using," she said.

Jeanna Salsman, a member of the Coalition for Brighter Futures, a DeWitt 
County group formed to fight drug abuse, will guide the campaign. She says 
the Clinton School District will be involved.

"Once we get the proper approval, we will disseminate the information 
through the school system and send the information to the students as well 
as the teachers," she said.

Michelassi said methamphetamine use poses a threat to DeWitt County.

"We talked with law enforcement officials and we haven't seen any spike in 
recent months or anything like that, but we want to stay on top of it and 
make sure that doesn't happen," she said.

"Prevention is always the key. We would rather be ahead of the game, than 
behind."

Meth is a highly addictive, powerful nervous system stimulant that can be 
"cooked" cheaply using a variety of easily available ingredients.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D