Tuesday, October 2, 2007
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By Brooke Chambers Reporter During the past two years, professors at Arkansas Tech University — through the River Valley Meth Project — have secured funding to conduct research on the effects of methamphetamine use in a community. Although gaining the funding was cause for celebration among project supporters, one professor reminded the group, “Research is not the goal, it’s the tool.” Sean Huss, Ph.D, assistant professor of sociology, has involved his research methods students in dissecting data returned from a mail-out survey, “Understanding Crystal Methamphetamine (Meth) Use: Community Impact and Intervention in Vulnerable Populations.” The survey, sent to a random sample of residents in the 5th Judicial District (Pope, Johnson and Franklin counties), asked questions aimed at understanding the effects of meth on people and communities. Huss, who often refers to meth as a cancer, said a common misconception seen in responses was the difference in “private troubles and public issues,” the title of a presentation Huss gave Wednesday morning during a project meeting. “A lot of times, we close our minds to these types of problems because we think it’s someone’s personal problem,” Huss said. “But the reality is, meth affects all of us — not just the guy who’s tweaking in his bathroom.” In explaining his comments, Huss said meth use and production are more likely symptoms of problems instead of the problem itself. “High degrees of alienation and low efficacy in individuals increases the likelihood of using drugs,” he said, noting communities with residents who have low social capital and high alienation are more susceptible to additional problems, which in turn leads to lower support for program spending and a weakened community. Social capital, he said, is the goal all communities need to strive for. He defined the term as having job networks, an exchange of ideas, mutual aid and bonding, creating opportunities for community action or social movements and a shared sense of belonging. Actions like neighborhood watches, community projects, visiting the sick and friendship networks, he said, are ways to create social capital. Voluntarism in the community, Huss said, is one of the few ways to reduce the demand for illegal drugs. Although laws and law enforcement help, the community should not rely on the law as a solution. “When individuals think of crime in a community, they tend to think the problem is being dealt with by the experts,” Huss said. “But think about it. The more we expect out of law enforcement, the more manpower they’re going to need. And where does law enforcement get their money? They get it from us! And essentially, we’re paying them to clean up the mess, and the problem’s still there. ... I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend my money on cool stuff.” Huss encouraged discussion of the meth problem among community members, and said those who want to ignore the problem or keep it a secret “undermine the very thing they want to achieve.” He said community meetings, open discussion, a clear message, and small actions would lead to a big change. For more information or to get involved, e-mail Huss at shuss@atu.edu. w Quickfacts Each American pays an average of $277 in state taxes to deal with the burden of substance abuse, while $10 is spent on prevention and treatment. Arkansas ranks 43rd in the nation for per capita spending on prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The American public will pay $1.7 million for every adolescent who becomes a drug addict between the ages of 15 and 25. Each meth-using employee in Benton County cost their employer about $47,500 per year in absenteeism, lost productivity, employee turnover, theft, health care and workman’s comp. — Source: Benton County survey |