MEET METH

HDAC Canvasses Door-To-Door With Information On Methamphetamine

Hinton - Do you suspect that someone you know is using methamphetamine? Do
you know how it effects people? And do you know what you can do to help a
friend or family member on meth?

The answers to these and other questions will be brought to your door
sometime between Oct. 27 and Nov. 8 by canvassers for the Hinton Drug
Action Committee (HDAC).

The volunteers will hand out packages containing information about the
detrimental effects of the drug, withdrawal symptoms, how to identify a
meth user and how you can help someone quit.

If you meet a canvasser face to face they will be happy to answer any
questions you have about meth, and if you are not home they will leave the
information package at your door.

"We want to make the public more aware that meth is a serious issue in
town," said HDAC chair Tammy Allen, "and we want people to recognize that
they as community members can get involved and help."

Allen says meth use affects everyone in the community, not just those who
use the drug.

"The crime rate is directly related to meth abuse. The cost on our entire
society goes up every time someone else starts using."

After conducting a 123 household telephone survey, HDAC decided going
door-to-door with the information would be the best way to get their
message across. Allen says the telephone survey showed that people in
Hinton are aware there is a meth problem, but do not know much about the
drug itself.

"We felt that with face-to-face conversation people would learn more, and
remember more of what they learned," said Allen.

The canvassers will hit the streets between 5-9 p.m. Monday through Friday,
and after 1:30 p.m. on the weekends.

As a follow up to its door-to-door campaign, HDAC will hold a public
workshop on meth, which will focus on what Hinton can do to make itself a
more drug resistant community.

As well, at the November Chamber of Commerce meeting held at the McCracken
Country Inn there will be a speaker who will talk to retailers about the
precursors used to make meth, and teaching them to be aware of people
buying suspicious quantities.

The meeting will be held Nov.18. For information contact Janna LeGrow at
the Chamber of Commerce at 865-2777.