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from the issue of January 17, 2008
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Extension's meth program helps educate Nebraskans
BY SANDI ALSWAGER KARSTENS, IANR NEWS SERVICE
A UNL Extension educational program on methamphetamine is taking aim at the dangerous drug and spreading the message to thousands.
Since the program started in 2005, the extension team has presented to more than 200 groups, locally and nationally.
Meth use has reached epidemic levels in some parts of the U.S., said Marilyn Fox, UNL Extension educator in Hall County.
"Nebraska is no different," Fox said.
From 2002-2005, 1.24 percent of Nebraskans age 12 or older reported meth use in the past year. Meth is second only to alcohol and marijuana as the drug of choice in many Western and Midwestern states.
"Citizens need to be aware of this problem and join the fight against this drug," Fox said.
One such Nebraska community joining the fight is McCook in Red Willow County in southwest Nebraska.
"The program was a good awareness program for our community," said Red Willow County Sheriff Gene Mahon. "It gave people a good idea of what it consists of and its consequences. It served as a good refresher course for law enforcement and made our county more aware."
Mahon said any time he can be proactive with programming for drugs, it's good for the community. Red Willow law enforcement officials conducted programming in McCook and Indianola.
"(It also) made the community aware of what the ingredients and tools are to make and process it," Mahon said.
Susan Brown, UNL Extension Educator in Adams County, said the programs not only educate but increase citizen reporting and community cohesiveness.
"The programs really reach the adults and youth and help them gain knowledge about meth," she said.
Brown and Fox continue to conduct the meth awareness programming.
"We keep updating and checking to make sure we are using the most current information," Fox said. "It's not the same old program. We make sure we are keeping up with the times."
The major strategies of the program include: share information with others, educate children and be involved in children's lives.
"All of the adults and youth attending the programs about meth indicate they have gained knowledge about meth and plan to implement a simple strategy that helps reduce the use and increase awareness," Brown said.
After the extension presentations, participants are better able to understand risk factors that might lead to meth abuse, effects of meth on a meth user and appeal of meth to potential users, Brown said.
In addition to community presentations, teams hand out packets to schools and provide written publications, PowerPoint CDs and DVDs and fliers about dealing with meth litter.
These educational materials also have been expanded by Purdue University, which revised these pieces for Indiana's extension staff.
Packets are available from Fox, Brown or extension offices in Adams and Hall counties.
For more information about the UNL Extension Methamphetamine program, contact Fox, (308) 385-5088; Brown, (402) 461-7209; or the Web at http://extension.unl.edu/Meth/index.html.
GO TO: ISSUE OF JANUARY 17
NEWS HEADLINES FOR JANUARY 17
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Extension's meth program helps educate Nebraskans
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Rev. Monroe to open MLK week events
Undergraduates to assist national DNA research project
UNL students to 'focus the nation' at series of global-awareness events
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