Granite Bay - The Press Tribune

4/8/08 | 49 views

Placer County highlights substance abuse prevention activities

Staff report

AUBURN - With the release of its “It’s a Fact - Meth is Our Problem” DVD in December of 2006, Placer County formally launched its methamphetamine awareness campaign. Produced by the Health and Human Services Department with guidance from Placer County Supervisors Jim Holmes and Bruce Kranz, Sheriff Ed Bonner and HHS Director Dr. Richard J. Burton, the DVD put a local perspective on meth abuse in the county.

As a result of the awareness generated by the release of the DVD, many local substance abuse prevention and education projects and groups have come into existence. In the next few months, there will be several more activities taking place. While the focus of the DVD was methamphetamine, many of the newly formed groups are addressing not only methamphetamine use, but the use and abuse of other substances as well.

The DVD was distributed to community members at forums in Roseville, Lincoln, Auburn, Rocklin and North Lake Tahoe. The DVD was provided to the media, schools, Web sites and community newsletters and is still available. Other activities related to substance abuse prevention in Placer County include:

n The five community action groups in Roseville, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Rocklin and Auburn have worked individually and collaboratively on substance abuse issues and are focusing on the “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” and the “Placer County Responsible Parent Host Pledge” campaigns. Both address teen alcohol use. These two campaigns will be officially launched this month.

n There will be a “Methamphetamine Update” by Dr. Alex Stalcup, a physician certified in addiction medicine, April 24 in Auburn. Stalcup will provide information to law enforcement, treatment providers, family members and the community on the treatment of methamphetamine addiction.

n The Health and Human Services Friday Night Live Partnership commissioned four youth-developed meth and prescription drug abuse DVDs, which will be available for distribution in May 2008.

n Between January 2007 and May 2007, five community meth forums were held. The forums increased awareness, discussed solutions and united community members in a common effort to combat substance abuse. Additionally, Granite Bay High School hosted a school-based community forum.

The Placer Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board and the Placer Substance Abuse Prevention unit have collaborated to reduce substance abuse effects in Placer County.

Partnerships have been formed between all local law enforcement agencies, the HHS Substance Abuse Prevention unit and the community action groups to focus on the “Parents Who Host” campaign. These groups are working on a campaign that will be released before prom and graduation seasons.

In the last fiscal year, 1,500 persons received help with addiction in Placer County programs. Almost 40 percent of those who sought treatment had a problem with methamphetamine.

Like most of California, meth use is widespread in Placer County. An estimated 85 percent to 90 percent of the county’s child welfare cases can be related to parental substance abuse and meth is most often the drug of choice. About 73 percent of local meth users began using this drug prior to age 22.

Meth is a white, odorless, and bitter-tasting crystalline powder, readily soluble in water or alcohol. It comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, injected or orally ingested. Meth is readily available and inexpensive with potent neurological effects that can cause addiction the first time it is used.

Meth use costs everyone due to increased medical care costs, lost productivity, increased crime, family devastation and loss of community. Meth is highly addictive. Its chemical effects on the brain trick the body into believing it has unlimited energy. Meth reduces the level of chemicals produced by the brain that cause feelings of pleasure. When a user stops taking meth, the brain is unable to function normally for a period of days, weeks or even months.

For more information call 1(888) 886-5401. In the South Placer area, call 787-8944.

Individuals or groups interested in starting or participating in a community action group or obtaining a DVD should contact Shari Crow at (530) 889-7238. Those interested in attending the “Methamphet-amine Update” presentation should contact Carol Baker at HHS at cjbaker@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-7115.

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	Granite Bay - The Press Tribune 4/8/08 \| 49 views Placer County highlights substance abuse prevention activities Staff report AUBURN - With the release of its “It’s a Fact - Meth is Our Problem” DVD in December of 2006, Placer County formally launched its methamphetamine awareness campaign. Produced by the Health and Human Services Department with guidance from Placer County Supervisors Jim Holmes and Bruce Kranz, Sheriff Ed Bonner and HHS Director Dr. Richard J. Burton, the DVD put a local perspective on meth abuse in the county. As a result of the awareness generated by the release of the DVD, many local substance abuse prevention and education projects and groups have come into existence. In the next few months, there will be several more activities taking place. While the focus of the DVD was methamphetamine, many of the newly formed groups are addressing not only methamphetamine use, but the use and abuse of other substances as well. The DVD was distributed to community members at forums in Roseville, Lincoln, Auburn, Rocklin and North Lake Tahoe. The DVD was provided to the media, schools, Web sites and community newsletters and is still available. Other activities related to substance abuse prevention in Placer County include: n The five community action groups in Roseville, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Rocklin and Auburn have worked individually and collaboratively on substance abuse issues and are focusing on the “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” and the “Placer County Responsible Parent Host Pledge” campaigns. Both address teen alcohol use. These two campaigns will be officially launched this month. n There will be a “Methamphetamine Update” by Dr. Alex Stalcup, a physician certified in addiction medicine, April 24 in Auburn. Stalcup will provide information to law enforcement, treatment providers, family members and the community on the treatment of methamphetamine addiction. n The Health and Human Services Friday Night Live Partnership commissioned four youth-developed meth and prescription drug abuse DVDs, which will be available for distribution in May 2008. n Between January 2007 and May 2007, five community meth forums were held. The forums increased awareness, discussed solutions and united community members in a common effort to combat substance abuse. Additionally, Granite Bay High School hosted a school-based community forum. The Placer Mental Health Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board and the Placer Substance Abuse Prevention unit have collaborated to reduce substance abuse effects in Placer County. Partnerships have been formed between all local law enforcement agencies, the HHS Substance Abuse Prevention unit and the community action groups to focus on the “Parents Who Host” campaign. These groups are working on a campaign that will be released before prom and graduation seasons. In the last fiscal year, 1,500 persons received help with addiction in Placer County programs. Almost 40 percent of those who sought treatment had a problem with methamphetamine. Like most of California, meth use is widespread in Placer County. An estimated 85 percent to 90 percent of the county’s child welfare cases can be related to parental substance abuse and meth is most often the drug of choice. About 73 percent of local meth users began using this drug prior to age 22. Meth is a white, odorless, and bitter-tasting crystalline powder, readily soluble in water or alcohol. It comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, injected or orally ingested. Meth is readily available and inexpensive with potent neurological effects that can cause addiction the first time it is used. Meth use costs everyone due to increased medical care costs, lost productivity, increased crime, family devastation and loss of community. Meth is highly addictive. Its chemical effects on the brain trick the body into believing it has unlimited energy. Meth reduces the level of chemicals produced by the brain that cause feelings of pleasure. When a user stops taking meth, the brain is unable to function normally for a period of days, weeks or even months. For more information call 1(888) 886-5401. In the South Placer area, call 787-8944. Individuals or groups interested in starting or participating in a community action group or obtaining a DVD should contact Shari Crow at (530) 889-7238. Those interested in attending the “Methamphet-amine Update” presentation should contact Carol Baker at HHS at cjbaker@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-7115.