METH MADNESS: OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS DRUG PROBLEMS

CIBOLA COUNTY - More than 50 city, village and county officials
attended and several testified at a methamphetamine awareness
discussion in early August at Grants City Hall.

Facilitated by U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, R-Dist. 2, the
discussion resulted in unofficial plans to combat methamphetamine
abuse through local ordinances, training, law enforcement and drug
treatment. Pearce said he expects to have an official report for
Cibola officials this fall, so that officials can determine which
programs they need to start or expand.

Pearce noted that Cibola County has already done a significant amount
of work on the meth problem. For example, he said the county is one
of the only ones he has encountered on his tour of the state, with a
teenager on its staff for teen court. Nicola Martinez, a certified
preventionist from the Cibola County Teen Court program, and DWI
Program Director Rhetta King are addressing prevention strategies and
education suitable for Cibola County youths and adults.

"The solutions need to be locally driven," Pearce told them. Grants
Mayor Joe Murietta told the congressman and the audience that the
meth problem needs to be stopped before it gets worse. However,
Pearce later pointed out that the war on drugs has been going on for
more than 20 years.

Pearce advised the group not to wait for Santa Fe or Washington to
provide curriculums or direction because each community has different
demographics.

There is a point where addicts cannot go back and reclaim their
innocence, the congressman said. "If we did not do something ... our
kids' ... heart and soul will be eaten out."