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29 members from 16 community organizations were in attendance.
Note: The general meeting breakfast was paid for by The Prosecuting Attorney’s
Office.
Marti Wilkerson began the general meeting with introductions of all members in
attendance.
The following announcements were made by Marti Wilkerson:
Mr. Bill Hefley was recognized with a certificate of appreciation for his
contributions to the RVMP.
A power point slide was presented on meth use data and statistics.
The faith based & business/industry workgroup has been looking at recruiting
volunteers to help with transportation needs with the Division of Children and
Family Services. Ms. Angel Simpson gave some examples of transportation needs
and issues.
Gary McElligott talked of the grant that is being written for the Yell County
Drug Coalition. He is receiving help from Janet Cook and Brittany Titsworth. The
speaker who presented at the Dardanelle Community Center on Parenting was well
received. There were over 300 + parents and others in attendance.
Mr. Tom Hawkins spoke that the guest speaker for the April RVMP meeting would be
the Lt. Governor. He also stated that we are unsure as of now if the Governor
will be in attendance at the RVMP meetings.
Workgroups Report:
Treatment/Drug Court (Workgroup co-leaders: Bill Hefley & Glenda Hubbard)
Dan Warwick reported the following:
The M.O.D.E.L. project is continuing with lighter participation this time. Mr.
Warwick stated that clients have been appreciative of this service being offered
to them.
Early Intervention/Faith Based (Workgroup co-leaders: Janet Cook & Stan
McDougal)
Janet Cook reported the following:
Transportation ideas for faith based, senior citizen as well as other volunteers
were suggested. They need to get more information on liability issues.
Child Protection (Workgroup co-leaders: Cheryl Scott & Josh McMillan)
Angel Simpson reported the following:
This workgroup discussed ideas on getting more clients into the M.O.D.E.L.
project and keeping them throughout the whole process.
Law Enforcement (Workgroup co-leaders: Larry Johnson & Tom McMillen)
Aaron Duvall reported on statistics related to methamphetamine.
Retail/Business/Industry (Workgroup co-leaders: David Gibbons & Jerry Hamrick)
Gary McElligott reported that he has presented on the RVMP to a group in
Chicago.
Frank Baker reported the following:
This workgroup has discussed the idea of holding a youth day at Old Post Road
Park. This could include many elements such as music (concert suggestion was
Trace Adkins), sports tournaments (softball/basketball), and guest speakers.
This will be a good chance to get the youth pastors involved as well.
Media/Public Relations (Workgroup co-leaders: Phil Latta & Mary Benefield)
Phil Latta reported the following:
An article has been written about the RVMP and sent to Ms. Mary Benefield who
works for The Courier. There has not been any acknowledgement as of yet.
Research
Dr. Sean Huss reported the following:
The Richmond, VA conference that Dr. Huss is attending along with other faculty
and students will be held in April. There is an entire session on
Methamphetamine.
Dr. Huss has been in contact with Dr. Neil Harrington of the ATU art program.
The Unity for Community organization is putting on an Easter Egg Hunt for the
Battered Women’s Shelter. They are also going to be doing a voter registration
drive on April 28 & 30th in the Young Ballroom on the ATU campus.
Belk’s, retail clothing store, is putting on a fundraiser as well. For more
information contact Dr. Sean Huss.
Lila Deputy, ATU student, has received a full stipend used to pay her tuition to
graduate school as a result of work done for the RVMP.
Medical/ARVAC/Freedom House (Workgroup co-leaders: Gary Rhodes)
Gary Rhodes reported on the following:
The process of getting a medical detox center is still in discussion.
A drug court outpatient group will begin on April 1.
Juvenile Services (Workgroup co-leaders: John Coleman & Phillip Hubbard)
John Coleman reported the following:
This workgroup has been suggesting ideas for the food baskets for teens living
on the streets.
This workgroup also discussed how the community needs more programming for
juveniles as far as chemical dependency.
Real Estate/Housing (Workgroup co-leaders: John Bearden & Sue Ann Strait)
Sue Ann Strait reported the following:
Property managers need ideas on when showing a house how to notice signs of meth
use.
The Arkansas Realtors Association is looking at how a home that has been used in
meth production be cleaned without the house being stereotyped as a “meth house”
Ms. Lindsey Thurman reported on her progress of the interviewing of Freedom
House staff. She has been collecting data from 2003-2007. The data has been
entered and is giving information on number of persons coming for treatment and
frequencies.
Ms. Nelda Alexander reported on the services given by Celebrate Recovery: A
Christ Cultured 12 Step Recovery Program. Two participants in the program shared
their past experiences as well as the experiences in Celebrate Recovery with
RVMP members.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 am
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