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28 members from 18 community organizations were in attendance.
Note: The general meeting breakfast was paid for by Liberty Bank.
Marti Wilkerson began the general meeting with introductions of all members in
attendance.
The following announcements were made by Marti Wilkerson:
Mr. Phil Latta was recognized with a certificate of appreciation for his
contributions to the RVMP.
The March meeting of the RVMP is scheduled on the next to last Wednesday of the
month (March 19, 2008) due to spring break which occurs the last week of March.
Ms. Nelda Robinson will be speaking at the March RVMP meeting regarding the
Celebrate Recovery program including its development.
The 15th Judicial Drug Coalition is sponsoring a guest speaker who will be
presenting on parenting. This presentation is open to Dardanelle residents only.
Phil Latta reported on the presentation made to the Lamar Schools on February
19, 2008. RVMP members in attendance were Sean Huss, Phil Latta, Lindsey
Thurman, Glenda Hubbard and Phillip Hubbard. Gayle Connor the school based human
service worker was also in attendance. There were approximately 13 students and
12 adults (teachers and parents) in attendance as well. The presentation went
well and RVMP members were invited back to the Lamar schools. The participants
were divided into two groups. The children were led by Lindsey Thurman and
Phillip Hubbard while the adults were led by Sean Huss and Phil Latta. Topics
discussed were RVMP goals, formation, and achievement as well as methamphetamine
in general. Awareness was the goal of the presentation for the children.
Workgroups Report:
Early Intervention/Faith Based (Workgroup Co-leaders: Janet Cook & Stan
McDougal)
Janet Cook reported the following:
A suggestion was made for Pope county to hold a PSA/poster campaign and essay
contest. This will utilize the East Lab in the schools. The suggestion was to
break up the groups into K-4, 5-7, and 8-12 grades. This will enable the
children to do research about methamphetamine and other drugs to help with
prevention efforts. This should be done in Fall 2008.
Treatment/Drug Court (Workgroup Co-leaders: Bill Hefley & Glenda Hubbard)
Bill Hefley reported the following:
The other workgroups were commended for their parts in treatment of substance
abusers.
There is a training/meeting in Alabama from a group called Mothers Against
Methamphetamine that will be held April 10-12, 2008.
Gary Rhodes reported the following:
Medical representatives such as doctors have been contacted to join the RVMP
meetings.
A medical detox facility is still needed in the area.
The funding for future Behavioral Sciences Research Scholarships is ongoing.
Ms. Lindsey Thurman reported that she has been interviewing some counselors from
Freedom House regarding what drugs are seen the most in their clientele as well
as prominent ages in order to get information on frequencies of usage, etc. Ms.
Thurman works with Freedom House and Ms. Marti Wilkerson through the scholarship
requirements.
Retail/Business/Industry (Workgroup Co-leaders: David Gibbons & Jerry Hamrick)
Jerry Hamrick reported the following:
An ongoing effort from this workgroup is to get drug of choice data reported
from industries to RVMP members. A letter is being drafted to CEO personnel.
This workgroup will be speaking with local drug testing agencies to get them
involved in the RVMP. A local drug testing agency rep that has been contacted is
Kelly Morgan.
Awareness is an important goal for local businesses.
Janet Cook suggested that more cling signs be made for local businesses. David
Gibbons, Prosecuting Attorney, has agreed to pay for these cling signs.
Child Protection (Workgroup Co-leaders: Cheryl Scott & Josh McMillan)
Angel Simpson reported the following:
The MODEL project is ongoing. The biggest obstacle thus far is retention of
clients. This is the 4-5 week of the next phase of the project. The goal of this
workgroup will be to come up with ways for retention of clients in the program.
Real Estate/Housing (Workgroup Co-leaders: John Bearden & Sue Ann Strait)
John Bearden reported the following:
Still getting realtors involved at the state level with methamphetamine
awareness.
Still training new realtors as well.
Law Enforcement (Workgroup Co-leaders: Larry Johnson & Tom McMillen)
Jay Winters reported the following:
The Sheriff’s Association was in town last week. They do a program for grades
K-2 about drug and alcohol awareness. Grades up to 6th grade are talked to
specifically about methamphetamine.
The major goal is to get back into the schools to provide training to teachers
and staff.
Josh McMillian reported the following:
Law enforcement is going to the middle school twice a week to speak about drug
use. This gives a good opportunity for exposure of information to the children.
Ms. Janet Cook stated that a one shot assembly does not provide for good
prevention efforts.
Real Estate agents are asking that law enforcement speak with real estate
property management about rent properties and signs of meth.
Juvenile Services (Workgroup Co-leaders: John Coleman & Phillip Hubbard)
John Coleman reported the following:
The Teen Food Shelf is a program that is being started by this workgroup for
kids living on their own.
Other ongoing projects are a teen drug court of drug diversion program and an AA
program for teens.
Research
Dr. Sean Huss reported the following:
A group of 4 faculty and 5 students will be traveling to Richmond, VA to speak
about RVMP survey research findings. This will be April 8-13, 2008.
Mr. Michael Feehan with the Bureau of Legislative Research spoke with the RVMP
members on Legislative Research and the drafting of “An Act to Create a Pilot
Program for Improving the Operation and Effectiveness of Alcohol and Drug
Treatment Programs and to Create an Income Tax Credit for Employers.”
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
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