County Idea

USE TREATMENT CENTER FOR METH PROGRAM

If the state follows a Crow Wing County suggestion, the Brainerd Regional
Human Services Center could host pilot programs to treat methamphetamine
drug users.

At Tuesday's county board meeting, Commissioner Terry Sluss, meth
prevention coordinator, provided a multipage concept for community-based
intervention and treatment of meth. Commissioners supported the idea. The
concept will be mailed to the governor, lieutenant governor and members of
the House and Senate for consideration during this legislative session.

Sluss cited research suggesting meth addicts have little motivation to
enter treatment for up to six months after they discontinue using the drug.
He recommended a model for a continuum of care that included lockup
facilities, education, counseling, health care, psychiatric care services,
employment training, family reunification when possible and transition to a
community work/living program.

"The research shows that meth users lack motivation, have reduced cognitive
skills, are aggressive and sometimes violent during the first several
months of their incarceration/treatment," Sluss wrote in his report.
"During this time period there is no known treatment for this behavior
rather than separation and lockdown."

Later, the continuum of care would allow for fewer restrictions and a
treatment environment with counseling and education when prisoners were
willing to work for those privileges. That period could include family
visits and General Educational Development, or GED, training to prepare
prisoners for job success.

The third phase would focus on job and independent living skills, as well
as work. The prisoner faces drug testing and joins a 12-step program while
in confinement. A final phase allows a resident more time outside the
facility, work in the community and potential family reunification. Random
drug testing and probation monitoring is increased and will be continued
for a probationary period.

Sluss anticipates it would take one to two years to complete the program.

"This model would work well in conjunction with the current studies in the
Ninth Judicial District, which could authorize Drug Court, a successful
model being used in California and some other states," Sluss wrote. "It
would also work best for initial interventions and first offenders."

In other meth news, the county board will delay enforcing the new meth
ordinance to allow more time to inform businesses. The ordinance, which
went into effect on Jan. 1, calls for drugs used in making meth to be
displayed and offered for sale behind a checkout counter, within a pharmacy
or other controlled counter where the public is not permitted. Violation of
the ordinance is a misdemeanor crime.

Sluss said the county board provided the legal notice, extended to Dispatch
news stories and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce, but wanted
to provide extra notification. A letter was drafted to notify individual
businesses. It went from the auditor's office to the assessor's office for
identification of affected businesses, but was apparently not sent, Sluss said.

Sluss apologized for the mailing failure.

He said the county received at least a dozen calls, mainly from
distributors, who were upset about the ordinance. And Sluss said when Crow
Wing County deputies provided information to businesses on what products
were affected some people thought they were actively pulling products from
the shelves.

Sluss, who spoke to Sheriff Eric Klang about the matter Tuesday, said that
was not true. Sluss said he realizes now a brochure may have been an
effective way to help businesses cope with the new ordinance. But he said
the ordinance language is quite clear.

"We are looking at pills and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine content," Sluss
said. "If it's there, they need to be controlled as soon as possible."

Liquid forms, which have not been found to be used in meth manufacturing,
are not affected by the ordinance.

Sluss said he believes the community has taken a leadership role in
fighting meth and there are outside forces -- distributors and
manufacturers -- who may be fearful the state is watching for its own
future laws.

"There are some who want to make sure we fail," Sluss said. "The vast
majority of people are doing just exactly what we intended to do and they
are following the ordinance."