'TERRIBLE PROBLEM' COMES OUT OF THE DARK

BENTONVILLE -- You are the meth solution.

That's the simple message members of the Benton County
Methamphetamine Task Force and Drug Free Rogers-Lowell want to spread
as they recognize October as Methamphetamine Awareness Month.

" This is a terrible problem in our community, and we have to do
something about it, " Bentonville Police Chief James Allen said
Tuesday. " It's a community problem, and it will take the community
to solve it. "

Allen and Congressman John Boozman, R-Ark., were the two speakers
during Monday's kickoff ceremony to focus on methamphetamine abuse
during the month.

Allen said methamphetamine abuse is not a problem that can be locked
up. It's a problem that's going to need participation from each
person in the community.

" There's not one group that has a magic bullet to fight this
problem, " Allen said.

Law-enforcement officers are close to the frontline in dealing with
methamphetamine abuse, but family members of meth abusers are the
ones living and coping with those who abuse the drug, Allen said.

Boozman also stressed that the drug is more than a lawenforcement problem.

" It's tough, the human drama that goes on when dealing with this
problem, " Boozman said.

Boozman stressed that education, incarceration and rehabilitation are
each important components in addressing the problem. Boozman also
voiced support for drug courts and said drug courts in northwest
Arkansas have served as a model for others in the country.

Boozman said he is proud of those combating the problem. For them, "
meth awareness is every hour, " he said. " Meth awareness is every day. "

Benton County Judge Gary Black also read a proclamation declaring the
month as Methamphetamine Awareness Month.

It's the third year that the task force and Drug Free Rogers-Lowell
have set aside the month to bring attention to a problem they
describe as an epidemic.

The following methamphetamine facts were provided by the groups:

Meth costs Benton County employers more than $ 21 million per year.

Meth users have a 98 percent chance of becoming addicted after the first use.

Meth-treatment admissions in Arkansas have increased 1, 100 percent.

One pound of meth creates 5 pounds of hazardous waste.

Six percent of Benton County 12 th-graders have experimented with meth.

Mike Maloney, a committee member for the task force and Drug Free
Rogers-Lowell, said the key to combating methamphetamine is education.

The group will take its education message, which includes a
PowerPoint presentation, this month to civic groups, clubs and schools.

A wrap-up program will be held Oct. 27 at Embassy Suites in Rogers.

For more information, call Megan Cuddy at 619-3188.