| 56 Members from 22 community organizations were in attendance.
Note: The general meeting breakfast was paid for by Drug Court (Pope County).
Marti Wilkerson began the general meeting with introductions of all members in
attendance. The purposes of this meeting were to assess progress of workgroups
in meeting 2008 objectives and to support the Drug Court Graduation ceremony.
The following announcements were made by Marti Wilkerson:
Mr. Tom Hawkins was recognized with a certificate of appreciation for his
contributions to the RVMP.
VIP’s were recognized for their attendance to the meeting and graduation
ceremony in particular Arkansas Drug Director Fran Flener & Director of System
of Care Carol Lee.
The 24-hour treatment hotline is now located in the front of the Downey phone
book, thanks to work done by the RVMP and Gary McElligott, Gary Rhodes and John
Coleman.
RVMP members were thanked for their donations to the 82 foster children who
needed Christmas items. It was noted that many of the foster children are in
care due to methamphetamine use and abuse.
The River Valley Safety Association supports the RVMP and also sponsors the
River Valley Meth Project website (www.rivervalleymethnews.com).
Mr. Michael Feehan will speak to the RVMP members at the February 27th general
meeting.
Workgroups Report
Treatment/Drug Court (Workgroup Co-leaders: Bill Hefley & Glenda Hubbard)
Bill Hefley and Dan Warwick reported the following:
The MODEL project is ongoing. There was a 50% success rate with the clients from
this first pilot project. The project was reported as valuable by the clients.
The MODEL project will start up again this semester and last for 15 weeks.
Kari Powers reported the following:
The letter has been drafted addressed to dentist in order to acquire dental
assistance for drug court clients. Three local dentists have agreed to donate
time and services to these clients. Some of the other dentists will be working
through the River Valley Christian Clinic to give assistance.
Child Protection (Workgroup Co-leaders: Cheryl Scott & Josh McMillian)
Angel Simpson reported the following:
Two clients who completed the MODEL project have had their cases closed with
DCFS.
There seems to be a correlation between completion of the session with the MODEL
project and the status of client’s cases.
Early Intervention/Faith Based (Workgroup Co-leaders: Janet Cook & Stan
McDougal)
Janet Cook reported the following:
The Governor’s Oral Health Summit will be on February 15, 2008. There is a $50
fee to attend. Anyone who is interested can contact Janet at 967-3370 for more
information.
School Administration (Workgroup Co-leaders: Jay Winters & Leon Anderson)
Leon Anderson reported the following:
The school will continue to talk with the school counselors about attending the
River Valley Meth Project general breakfast meetings.
Law Enforcement (Workgroup Co-leaders: Larry Johnson & Tom McMillen)
Jay Winters reported the following:
Will be working with school administrators on arranging trainings on signs of
meth use and production, expected for Fall 2008.
Discussed funding needs for meth issues.
Still working on getting pseudoephedrine purchases online into a computer based
tracking system.
ARVAC/Freedom House/Medical (Workgroup Co-leaders: Gary Rhodes & Lou Vitale)
Gary Rhodes reported the following:
Lou Vitale and other workgroup members are working on continuation of the
Behavioral Sciences Research scholarship.
Have met with Mr. Joe Hill from ADAP about obtaining funds for Specialized Women
Services, which are much needed in this area.
Juvenile Services (Workgroup Co-leaders: John Coleman & Phillip Hubbard)
Phillip Hubbard and John Coleman reported the following:
Spoke with pastors in the area about getting a hotline for teens to be able to
speak with counselors and obtain food. A building has already been furnished by
Susan Jarrett who represented the Lost Cherokee Tribe at the RVMP.
Volunteers have been found to help sponsor a youth AA group.
There are on-going efforts to develop some form of Juvenile Drug Court.
Phillip noted that there were faith based representatives at the meeting.
Media/Public Relations (Workgroup Co-leaders: Phil Latta & Mary Benefield)
Phil Latta reported the following:
A presentation has been worked out to present to the Lamar schools about the
River Valley Meth Project on February 19. Dr. Sean Huss, Phil Latta and Drug
Court staff will be at this meeting for parents and students.
Contact has been made with the Courier to assist with research for articles
about the RVMP.
Preliminary discussions regarding continuation of funding for the Behavioral
Sciences Research Scholarship have begun.
A suggestion was made that a journalism student from ATU assist the RVMP with
writing articles about the project for experience.
Mr. Latta is working on some power point presentations about the RVMP and other
topics that will be self narrating and self run.
A request was made that if anyone is interested in talking with groups such as
the schools or churches to please contact Mr. Latta.
Research
Dr. Sean Huss reported the following:
Some research survey data has been written up by Dr. Huss and students.
Contact is being kept with Dr. Terri Earnest in order to get the information
from the project into book format.
Dr. Sean Huss and 4-5 other professors and three students have been invited to
Richmond, VA, to present some research findings.
The Unity for Community group started out with 5 people and has grown up to
15-20 students at the present time. This group has done many community projects
and will be doing other projects in the future such as a voter drive.
DRUG COURT GRADUATION CEREMONY
Four graduates and their families were honored by Judge Dennis Sutterfield and
Drug Court staff Glenda Hubbard, Kari Powers, Becky Nichols, Vena Schexnayder,
and Alisa Hilburn. David Gibbons welcomed graduates and commended them for their
hard work. Mayor Tyrone Williamson encouraged graduates to be mindful of where
they have been and where they want to go. Arkansas Drug Director Fran Flener
honored graduates with her attendance. She expressed regrets from Governor Beebe
and Joe Hill who could not attend.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 a.m.
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