METH TASK FORCE STILL HAS GROUND TO COVER

An epidemic is sweeping Bismarck-Mandan, and Sherry Mills Moore
intends to do something about it.

Moore, chair of the Mayor's Task Force on Meth, works with a group of
volunteers to educate the community on the dangers of methamphetamine
and points them to resources to fight them.

The task force, created by Bismarck Mayor John Warford last year,
works to "bring together resources of the community to work on the
problem of meth in the community" through a series of projects.

Sandi Tabor, Bismarck city commissioner, said the key piece of
accomplishing the task force's goals is parent education and working
with employers to educate their workers about meth.

"We're going to make a big push to get that done so we have something
to look at the next meeting," she said.

Moore said in addition to educating parents, the task force has
programs in place for the faith community and already led a class for
city leaders. They are working with Bismarck State College and the
University of Mary to develop a program for higher education.

"We felt like the higher education facilities probably didn't have as
coordinated of efforts and there is a much larger potential for their
student bodies to become involved in (meth)," she said.

Capt. Ralph Mowder, field services commander for the Bismarck Police
Department, said he thinks raising community awareness makes a
difference for the department.

"I think (the task force) is helping to fight meth but you're never
able to measure how much deterrent it affects," he said.

But Moore said that the task force hasn't completed its job. While a
lot has been accomplished, meth isn't a problem that will go away easily.

"Have we made a dent in meth abuse? I don't think so, but we've done a
lot to spur interest in recognizing it," she said.

Tabor also has high expectations of the group.

"We need to keep them moving toward accomplishing the goals we set in
looking at the possibility of some other projects."