PROGRAM HELPS METH USERS

When you see your old solution isn't working, it's time to come up with a
new one.

That's the conclusion Northwest Kansas Community Corrections director John
Trembley came to when he analyzed what was happening with methamphetamine
users in the community corrections program.

Community corrections supervises a daily average of 110 offenders and 57
parolees, Trembley said.

"Currently, 60 percent of all our offenders are on for some type of
substance abuse issues," Trembley said. "Twenty-five percent of my average
daily population is methamphetamine users."

Trembley also noted a 52-percent increase in the number of positive drug
test results among community corrections clients.

The programs community corrections was using for methamphetamine addicts
obviously weren't working. The meth users were in the same groups with
marijuana users and cocaine users. Trembley knew there must be something
better.

"Looking at them, their lack of hygiene, their inability to function -
we're not getting anywhere. If we can just save five of them, it will be
phenomenal," Trembley said.

Trembley wanted something for meth user that worked as effectively as the
sex offender group that meets in community corrections. The members of that
group, all working on the same issues, keep each other on track and
focused, Trembley said.

"The offenders who are really working on their issues become very combative
with the ones who are not," he said.

He believes much of the success of the sex offender treatment is in it's
single-issue approach.

"One night I took three meth users to Quinter to talk about methamphetamine
addiction," Trembley said. "They got a standing ovation when it was over."

During the drive, he broached the idea of a specific treatment group for
methamphetamine. The three thought it was a great idea.

The problem was, where to find a program designed specifically for
methamphetamine users.

"Right now in Kansas we have no treatment programs that are specifically
for methamphetamine," Trembley said.

He researched until he found a successful meth program. Based in southern
California, the Matrix model treatment program yields a significant
reduction in methamphetamine use as well as HIV risky behavior, Trembley said.

After finding a successful program, the next issue was how to implement it.
Trembley applied for two grants to fund the methamphetamine program here.
The Edward Byrne Grant awarded community corrections $87,150. Department of
Corrections awarded a $29,000 conditional violator grant. The two grants
are enough to put the program in place.

The meth program will pay the full cost of evaluation and outpatient
treatment for participants. Program participants also will go on an
intensive surveillance schedule.

The grant funds also will pay for a drug and alcohol counselor for
community corrections.

In a time when legislators are cutting budgets, Trembley knows the program
will have to sink or swim in the first year. If it's not successful,
funding won't be available later.

"For me, it's going to be very important to make this thing work," he said.

The primary mission of community corrections will be public safety first
and foremost, he said, but if community corrections can show offenders that
they're really trying to help them get their problems solved and move
forward with their lives, it should help break down the barriers that make
the offenders reluctant to cooperate.

"One of my objectives is that 75 percent or more will not enter a Kansas
prison. One of the other objectives is that 50 percent of them will not
test positive for any drugs during the program," Trembley said. "The only
thing that would make me give up on them is total lack of cooperation or if
I believe they could hurt someone in the public."

Trembley said the meth program will be up and running after he hires a drug
counselor experienced in methamphetamine issues.