Boozman Offers

8/11/2005 11:21:22 AM

Boozman offers hand in methamphetamine problem

By Brooke Vermillion
area@couriernews.com

Arkansas and the River Valley have known for some time methamphetamine use has become a much more significant problem in recent years.
However, the problem is now being addressed on a national level, U.S. Rep. John Boozman explained Monday when he visited Russellville to discuss recent developments.
After a tour of the Freedom House drug treatment facility, Boozman talked with a standing-room only crowd in the ARVAC, Inc., boardroom. During the 45-minute session, local city and county officials were able to ask about various issues ranging from the local Intermodal project to the state’s healthcare.
Because Freedom House is a drug treatment facility — and Boozman is a member of the Speakers Taskforce for a Drug-free America — the meth problem topped the discussion list.
“A big deal on our drawing board in Washington is the methamphetamine epidemic,” Boozman said. “I want to know how it ranks here.”
He explained about three years ago when he mentioned the meth problem in the Legislature, a very low percentage of meth-related problems were being reported. Although that number has now increased drastically, Boozman said the initial problem is the same.
“The damage meth does to a person, his or her family, and the community is no comparison to the effects of other types of drugs,” he said.
In response to a question from Pope County Sheriff Jay Winters dealing with the local meth project, Boozman explained in President George W. Bush’s budget outline for the 2005-06 fiscal year, the drug task force’s budget was cut by 35 percent.
“The president’s budget basically put the Drug Task Force out of business,” Winters said after the meeting. “I’m not being derogatory, but the methamphetamine issue is one of the main issues throughout the whole United States. When we sit and talk about law enforcement, one of the first issues to come up is the meth issue. So they can’t talk about having trouble, then at same time cut all funding for it.
“But Congressman Boozman and our state senators and representatives have been receptive to comments pertaining to meth, and we want to keep it on their minds,” he continued. “And they have put money back in the budget for us now.”
Winters said the House of Representatives and the Senate both agreed more money should be available to the Drug Task Force than the president outlined. He added on a local level, funding would not be an issue for the next fiscal year because of the director’s advanced planning.
“We’re fortunate that in our drug task force, David Gibbons (5th Judicial District Chief Prosecuting Attorney) has done a good job of seeing into the future by preparing for a time when funding might be cut or done away with,” Winters said. “He’s tried to reserve funds for times like this, so we’re going to be OK this year. But they (legislators) still need to keep us in mind.”
Winters explained by talking with grant coordinators in the offices of Boozman and U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, the solution for funding drug-related programs would be to apply for grants. He said the county is heeding that advice.
“We’ve had luck (with grants) to some extent,” Winters said. “But realistically, most of the money we have right now has been set for protective gear and communication. ...
“David Freeman at 911 has done a fantastic job of staying on top of getting the protective gear for the (meth) decontamination process with the money that came last year. So what we’ll be looking for next is to find what each agency needs to help us function better in responding.”
Another pending grant is a three-year, $500,000 grant that would allow ARVAC to hire more staff to enhance adult meth abuse treatment in rural areas.
Bob Adkison, ARVAC executive director, said the project includes expanding the resources of treatment including detoxification, residential treatment, a chemical-free living center, intensive outpatient treatment, mental health evaluations, as well as educational classes, financial life skills classes, and computer training.
“My perspective is that the congressman is definitely aware of the methamphetamine issues, not only here in the River Valley, but nationwide,” Adkison said. “I also think he wanted to reiterate to people in the listening audience that the meth issue is a national priority, and we are attempting to deal with it.”
Meth project
Winters said about 40 people in the community have become involved in the River Valley Meth Project with the intentions of alleviating some of the problems associated with meth. Members represent different industries, retail businesses, realty, education facets, emergency services, churches, etc. The group meets every month to find more ways to help the current drug situation in the area.
“We’re trying to get all phases of the community together to work on this (meth project),” Winters said. “Right now, the group is working on how to help the people who realize they have a meth problem and get treatment. Industry and retail are working to put a project together that would help get these folks employed again, which is a major step.”
The ARVAC board, along with Winters, Gibbons, State Sen. Sharon Trusty, State Rep. Michael Lamoureaux, Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson, Russellville Mayor Raye Turner, Police Chief James Bacon, Dardanelle Mayor Carolyn McGee, Jeff Pipkin of the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development, area city council members, and members of several committees all came to Monday’s discussion with Boozman.
Before the meeting, the congressman ate lunch with the clients at Freedom House and listened as they gave their testimonies of what it is like to go through treatment for an addiction, according to Adkison.
“He (Boozman) heard from clients first-hand why they are there,” Adkison said, adding that the day allowed not only Boozman but the present officials to see what ARVAC and Freedom House do for the patients being treated for drug-related addictions.
Boozman also made stops Monday morning at Atkins and Altus in the afternoon. He discussed veteran’s benefits, gas prices and health care.