2005 Red Ribbon Week

A National Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign Presented by

Sponsored

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RED RIBBON WEEK

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week • October 23 – 31, 2005

RED RIBBON WEEK INSERT STAFF EDITOR Chris Yager CONTRIBUTORS Chris Yager Steve Hamilton Jenn Tonsager Jeani Stone Susan Shippy

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or the second consecutive year, the Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community is sponsoring Red Ribbon Week. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of Enrique Camarena whom Red Ribbon Week honors.

The Coalition is once again working on projects in cooperation with the Campbell County School District to help provide valuable information and prevention to our children.

We would highly encourage every parent to take two hours of your time to listen to Mary Haydal (see right) whose daughter died after suffering a heart attack caused by methamphetamine.

Her daughter could easily be your son or daughter. Her emotional talk should not be missed.

Finally, we are once again producing

this insert with the assistance of The News-Record to help inform and educate the community.

Last year, the focus of the insert was to bring awareness to drug endangered children and educating Gillette on the seriousness of our substance abuse problems.

A few months ago, the City of Gillette published the results of its 2005 Citizen Survey. For the first time, the respondents were asked if substance abuse was a problem in the community.

The answer was an overwhelming yes.

It was ranked as the third highest priority that needs to be addressed by the City of Gillette. Slightly over 60% of those who responded said it should be a “high” priority while another 30% said it was a medium priority.

The fact that the people of Gillette

are recognizing local substance abuse is a serious problem that needs to be addressed is a major accomplishment in itself. Now the questions remain, who is going to do it and how?

This year’s insert focuses more on issues regarding where we go from here, such as who needs to get involved and what needs to be done. Other issues such as drugs in the workplace, foster parenting, tobacco and underage drinking are discussed as well.

Hopefully, this insert will provide some useful information. Everyone has a role to play in helping to solve these problems.

This week, celebrate Red Ribbon Week, by listening to Mary Haydal, wearing red, and by spending more time with your kids.

The History Behind Red Ribbon Week

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AD SALES Leah Magnuson Diane Hamilton Elaine Roth Tina Lawson Jeani Stone Linda Jennings Doug Rose LAYOUT/DESIGN JR Study, The News-Record

n Feb. 7, 1985, 37-year-old DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was kidnapped by members of a Mexican drug cartel.

Camarena was tortured and killed.

His body was found one month later in a shallow grave. In honor of Camarena and his fight against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors wore red ribbons.

As coalitions have formed across the country to combat our nation’s drug problem, Camarena was embraced as a model to show that one person

can make a difference. The red ribbon was adopted by those coalitions as a symbol of Camarena’s memory.

In 1988, the National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign. In 2004, the Coalition Promoting a DrugFree Community organized the first county wide celebration of Red Ribbon Week (October 23rd-31st).

We support a drug-free community.

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MARY HAYDAL

Red Ribbon Week

From Someone Who Loved Cassie

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o many people, Cassie Haydal never be able to physically exert herself again seemed like the perfect daughter. In and she would need months of rehabilitation.

November of 2000, she was a high As friends poured into the hospital, Mary school honor student who looked forward to learned for the first time that her daughter was attending college. She coached basketball, a methamphetamine addict. Some of Cassie’s attended church frequently, and did after school friends and even boyfriend not only knew this, volunteer work. but also used with Cassie. Friends and some of On November 4, 2000, Cassie did not look their parents knew of Cassie’s drug problem, but well. She has been sick for about three weeks never told Mary Haydal or her husband. and had seen doctors twice. She It was then learned that Cassie had smoked and it was thought she had possibly suffered some serious brain bronchitis. damage. Her brain activity would Cassie went to coach her be monitored and if it continued younger sister’s basketball to decrease, it would mean team. After returning Cassie would be left in a home later that day, she permanent, vegetative coma. went into the bathroom She was soon transferred where she collapsed. to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Mary Haydal rushed to Billings, Montana where her daughter’s side and Cassie’s condition continued had to start performing to deteriorate. She could not CPR on the blue and lifeless breath, eat, or communicate body of her beautiful on her own. daughter while waiting for After nine days in a coma, paramedics to arrive. with no hope in sight, the family After several minutes, knew that it was time to let their help arrived and paramedics daughter go. The next day, Cassie unsuccessfully attempted to restart was removed from her life support and Cassie Haydal Cassie’s heart. Cassie was died. transported to the hospital in Since her daughter’s tragic Miles City, Montana where her heart was finally death, Mary Haydal has spent much of her restarted. time traveling this region of the country When the Haydal’s arrived at the hospital, warning students, teachers, parents and they would be shocked by the news of what had community leaders on the extreme dangers of happened to their 19-year-old daughter. Cassie methamphetamine. suffered a massive heart attack that blew out the Haydal’s emotional and riveting presentation bottom of her heart and left her in a coma. is a story about how sorrow and tragedy can It was initially thought that Cassie would turn into hope and courage. survive the heart attack, however she would

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A Special Presentation on Methamphetamine and Children with Guest Speaker Mary Haydal

“FROM SOMEONE WHO LOVED CASSIE” Mary Haydal is from Miles City, Montana and travels all across this region of the country speaking to school students, parents, businesses, teachers, and community leaders. She is a former national trainer for the National Crime Prevention Council. Mary is a founding member of the Miles City Youth Coalition, the Region 9 Meth Task Force and in 2002, she served on the Governor of Montana’s Drug and Alcohol Policy Board

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GILLETTE’S DRUG PROBLEM

Red Ribbon Week

In August, 2005, the Sheriff ’s Office arrested a Gillette cou ple after it was alleged they wer e dealing methamphetamine to local minors. When the cou ple was arrested at their residen ce, a methamphetamine lab was located.

Meth still in the headlines

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ethamphetamine continues to be the largest illegal drug threat to Campbell County. Crimes both directly and indirectly related to methamphetamine continue to inundate the criminal justice system. tin 2005, Russell Mar of r be em pt As the problem continues to worsen, authorities do Se In life in to 50 years to r fo was sentenced not have the means to address the problem. The Child ry State Penitentia the Wyoming urder. Martin m Endangerment Act has put incredible strains on the ee gr de nd co mer attempted se head with a ham r e th Department of Family Services and their ability to find in fe wi s hi beat ive fo rest tested posit The foster parents for children who have to be removed from and after his ar e. According to fe methamphetamin wi s hi their homes. ed us artin “acc News-Record, M Mafia e th d an e lic Drug endangered children has been one of the po th of conspiring wi cusations he ac g in ak m by top news stories of the past year. When the Child to set him up ren.”

Endangerment Act went into effect in the middle of 2004, molested his child law enforcement was given a powerful tool of holding meth using parents accountable for their actions.

In December of 2004, a Gillette couple was arrested under the new Child Endangerment law.

Efforts in Campbell County have stalled to orchestrate The couple had been forcing their two and threea coordinated multi-agency response to drug year-old children to sleep in a windowless room endangered child calls by law enforcement. However, with no light that was being locked from the outsid e. the State of Wyoming is currently working on plans The room had several dirty diapers on the floor and feces on the walls. Drugs, paraphernalia and guns on how state agencies can coordinate to address the were found in the house. Three children were taken problem. into protective custody.

Probation & Parole is struggling to find the resources to deal with the problem and treatment is in short two , 4 supply. While individuals have no problem getting into 0 0 2 b er of ecemb fter a meth la D local outpatient treatment, there is no local inpatient in da lette Also arreste e north of Gil an e r e facility. This means people requiring lengthy inpatient w on hom men nd in a was served u fo s treatment must go to Sheridan, Casper, Rock Springs, a t w warran n. after a d investigatio or elsewhere. There is also typically a one to two month unrelate wait to get into one of these facilities.

In the past year, Russell Martin, was sentenced from 50 years to life for trying to kill his wife. This In the past year, an enormous investigation concluded involving 91 pounds of methamphetamine that was instance is a perfect example of the violence and distributed in Campbell County worth around five million paranoia caused by using methamphetamine. dollars.

Ecstasy has made the news in the past year.

Two men received federal prison sentences for selling the In two separate instances, teenagers were meth from Douglas Five Gillette individuals were convicted of receiving the apprehended by law enforcement after going meth in Douglas and bringing in to Gillette and all received down to Denver to purchase ecstasy to distribute federal prison sentences. in Gillette.

Sixteen Gillette residents were convicted of selling the While there is no promising news regarding meth locally. Eight received federal prison sentences. our local drug problem, there are more people

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who have become interested in finding solutions to the problem.

Former School Board Trustee Jerry Winter, started the Healthy Communities Task Force to look at ways of improving the quality of life for students so they learn better. A town meeting was held this past spring to identify obstacles to learning. The number one obstacle identified by members of the community was substance abuse related issues.

Several individuals on the task force are now crafting plans that will be formed into a recommendation which will be given to the school trustees for consideration later this year. When the trustees passed the school budget for the upcoming school year, they allocated tens of thousands of dollars to begin implementing recommendations.

Hopefully, several prevention efforts will come out of the plan. Currently, the only prevention efforts in our schools are D.A.R.E. classes being taught by deputies with the Campbell County Sheriff ’s Office. While important, it is not enough. There needs to be additional and significant resources poured into prevention efforts.

The school district is working on a policy to implement pre-employment and reasonable suspicion drug testing of its employees. This follows an increasing trend of businesses and agencies that have learned the importance of drug testing.

Efforts have also just begun to explore ways of holding drugs users more accountable for their actions. Many individuals get unsupervised probation on their first or second drug possession charge.

It is hoped that a solution will be found in which these users can be drug tested and forced to go to counseling so some effort can be made at getting them help and keeping them off drugs.

Hopefully, government agencies and other groups will continue to find ways in which we can all work together to find solutions to these complex and difficult substance abuse problems.

Coalition news & events and drug prevention & education resources.

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WYOMING’S DRUG PROBLEM

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n January of this year, the Wyoming Department of Health published a report entitled “Key Indicators for Policy”. The substance abuse report looks at issues involving nicotine, alcohol and drugs, including trends, arrests, self-reported use, treatment, and prevention efforts.

The report assists leaders and politicians in adopting policies and allocating resources towards Wyoming’ substance abuse problems.

JUVENILE RESEARCH There is a lot of startling information on juvenile substance abuse related issues. Alcohol consumption rates by our youth are well above the national average. According to statistics, only 6% of 6th graders reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. However, 8th graders reported that 24% of them had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days.

The number jumps up to 53% for high school seniors.

This statistic might indicate that there needs to be increased prevention efforts in our junior high schools. Currently, the only prevention and education efforts undertaken in Campbell County is the Sheriff Office’s D.A.R.E. Program, that is taught to all 6th grade students in the school district.

It is also apparent, that significant attention might need to be given to Westwood High School. The Department of Health’s study shows amazingly higher substance abuse rates in Wyoming alternative high schools.

Clearly efforts need to be undertaken to help alternative high school students to remain drug and alcohol free.

Although drug legalization activists argue the claim, it 0 has been shown that nicotine products and

alcohol are “gateway drugs”. If you use either substance, you put yourself at a significantly higher risk to use illegal drugs.

According to a study done by the U.S. Surgeon General, almost everyone who uses illegal drugs once used tobacco and/or alcohol.

According to one Wyoming study, 93% of high school students who had tried methamphetamine had also tried cigarettes.

The report states, “the age at when an adolescent first begins using nicotine, alcohol and/or illicit drugs is also a powerful predicator of later alcohol and substance abuse problems. The younger the age of first use, the more likely problems will result, especially if first use is prior to 15 years old.”

The report claims that students using alcohol are five times more likely to drop out of school than students who do not drink.

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SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CRIME One piece of good news is since 1999, alcohol related arrests in Wyoming have decreased. With that said, alcohol arrests in Wyoming (34.2%) still remain well above the national average (24.1%).

There is an obvious connection between alcohol, drugs and crime.

Recently officials in Natrona County estimated that 90% of their arrests were methamphetamine related.

Statewide, 28.9% of all arrests are alcohol related and 37.67% of arrests are drug related. This means two-thirds of all arrests made by law enforcement can be directly attributed to substance abuse.

Fifty-four percent of all drug arrests are for methamphetamine. It is very common for these meth users to steal to support their habit. These include property crimes such as larcenies, burglaries, check fraud, and forgeries.

Plug those crimes into the equation and it is thought that 80-90% of all crimes committed is somehow tied in to alcohol and drugs. Officials statewide agree that if we can address and decrease substance abuse problems, crime would be significantly reduced.

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Substance abuse treatment has been shown to be successful and progress is being made in learning how to effectively rehabilitate methamphetamine users, which has been very difficult in the past.

According to the Department of Health, “the cost of substance abuse treatment is very economical compared to the extraordinary costs of increased criminal activity, arrests and

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incarceration”.

One of the biggest challenges facing the state right now is the quantity of treatment programs available as well as getting people into treatment who need the help. There is a shortage of facilities across the state. Some smaller counties do not have any outpatient treatment programs.

Inpatient beds are in short supply statewide and those trying to get admitted into these facilities often experience long waiting lists. Gillette is one of the few major cities in the state that still does not have an inpatient treatment facility.

This past legislative session, the Wyoming State Legislature allocated money to fund more treatment programs as well as money to fund a current study to determine what areas in the state are most lacking in treatment programs.

Despite the shortages of treatment around the state, it is estimated that only one quarter of those who need help are involved in getting some form of counseling. Most of those who do request help are mandated to do so by the criminal justice system.

There are clearly benefits of getting drug users involved in the criminal justice system if they are motivated to seek help. Even if these users don’t want help, research shows that those who are forced or made to seek help will still learn and benefit from a substance abuse program.

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Red Ribbon Week

COALITION PROMOTING A DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY

Coalition Stays Busy

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n the past year, the Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community has continued to make strides in raising public awareness of local substance abuse problems.

In October of 2004, we sponsored the first community wide Red Ribbon Week. We brought in special guest speaker Susan Webber-Brown who gave presentations on drugendangered children.

We awarded community members for their efforts in fighting drug use, and sponsored an essay contest and events with

various local schools.

T h e Coalition also published its first Red Ribbon Week newspaper insert to help bring attention to Gillette’s substance abuse problems.

We have continued to attend trade shows and fairs to help educate the community such as the Northeast Wyoming Contractor’s Home Show and the Campbell County Memorial Hospital Health Fair.

In February of 2005, our website (drugfreegillette.org) went online. We will continue to build and develop useful tools and information to help inform and educate the public.

In June and July of 2005, we worked with the Campbell County Sheriff ’s Office D.A.R.E.

officers in co-sponsoring drugfree activities for elementary students who had graduated from D.A.R.E. the previous year.

This past summer, members of the Coalition attended anti-drug coalition training taught by Community AntiDrug Coalitions of America (CADCA). The information learned at the seminar is being used to help the Coalition develop several goals that will eventually be outlined in a strategic plan that is currently Clockwise from top left: Leah Magnuson, Dan Str Steve Hamilton, oup, being developed.

Diane Hamilton, and Susan Shippy Jeani Stone, Several other projects are currently being worked on, such as our “Live Life – Not Meth” advertising campaign, an educational methamphetamine pamphlet, and a video library that is being assembled.

Our History T

he Coalition Promoting a DrugFree Community began in February of 2003. Concerned with local drug use, local businessman and former school board member, Micky Shober, started the Coalition which was originally known as the Anti-Drug Task Force.

In the fall of 2003, Coalition member, County Attorney Jeani Stone, approached Rep. George McMurtrey regarding drug-related laws that needed changed. During this past legislative session in Cheyenne, two bills supported by the Coalition were passed and later signed by Governor Dave Freudenthal.

Previously, a misdemeanor drug possession could result in a maximum punishment of ninety days in jail and a $100 fine. With the new law, the crime is now punishable for up to six months in jail and a $750 fine.

Those with three or more misdemeanor drug possessions could previously be charged with a felony, but only if those misdemeanors took

place in Wyoming. With the new law misdemeanor possession convictions in any state or jurisdiction can be included among the three necessary to file a felony.

In January of 2004, members of the Coalition attended a methamphetamine conference in Casper. Many had the opportunity to listen to a presentation given by Susan Webber-Brown.

Brown is a 20-year law enforcement professional from California with extensive experience in dealing with methamphetamine and how it effects children who are exposed to it.

Her presentation expressed the need for government agencies to work together to protect children by removing them from homes in which the parents are using meth. Efforts are then undertaken to reunite the family, but only after drug testing, counseling, parenting classes and other measures are undertaken. On October 25th, 2004, Brown gave a community presentation at the Cam-plex.

In January of 2004, the Coalition also

began a series of four community Yager and Marie Tollefsrud, Chris dy en W : ht p re s e n t a t i o n s rig to Left designed to inform Franks Elaine Roth, Jenn citizens on issues ober, Doug Rose, Sh y ick M : ed ur ct , and Linda Mohr related to illegal Not pi on, Linda Jennings ws La na Ti , er ag ns drugs, alcohol, and To tobacco use.

The Coalition has targeted local businesses whom we feel be contacted.

In July of 2004, the Coalition helped contribute to the local drug problem. sponsor a drunk driving presentation Businesses were identified that sell featuring Clint Haskins and Debra rolling papers, drug flushing products, McLeland.

In September of 2001, and drug culture magazines. Letters Haskins killed eight University of were sent to each business asking them Wyoming cross country athletes in to refrain from selling these products.

With the support of Kennecott, the a drunk-driving accident south of Coalition provided posters that were Laramie. McLeland’s son, Morgan, was distributed to local businesses by law one of the eight victims killed in the enforcement. The posters will aid an tragic accident.

The emotional and powerful talk on-going effort to educate businesses and their employees on products that by Haskins and McLeland took place can be purchased to manufacture before 800 people, many of whom were methamphetamine. The hope is that young people in Gillette for the National employees will recognize when certain High School Finals Rodeo. quantities or combinations of items are purchased so that law enforcement can

COALITION PROMOTING A DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY TOP TEN WAYS GILLETTE CAN ADDRESS OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEMS 10) Widening the net Few people who need treatment seek help themselves. Usually, they have to get involved in the criminal justice system and are mandated to seek help.

Paraphernalia needs to be made illegal and anyone found guilty of any alcohol or drug related offense should be required to seek counseling.

9) Positive activities for youth Teenagers need to be given more activities to get involved in which are positive and help keep them from getting bored or getting into trouble.

We strongly advocate the development of a teen recreational center to help accomplish this task.

8) “It can not happen to my child” If you are fortunate enough to hear Mary Haydal’s Red Ribbon Week presentation, you will fully understand how big of a mistake it can be to feel this way. It can happen to any child, including yours. Parents need to educate themselves on the signs of alcohol and drug use so they can intervene and save their child before it is too late.

7) Early childhood intervention Parents and schools need to work together at finding ways to identify and get help for children who have behavioral problems, depression, have self-esteem issues or who are being bullied. These kids are at a high risk to later become substance abusers. They need services such as counseling or mentoring to help lessen the likelihood they will later become addicts.

6) Citizens need to get more involved Too often, people have information that can be provided to law enforcement or know someone who needs help. They don’t want to be a “narc” or think it is “none of their business”. Wrong. It is your business and it is your responsibility to make a difference and get involved. Your help could get a drug dealer taken off the street or could be the prod that an addict needs to finally seek help.

3) Treatment Gillette is the last major city in Wyoming to not have an inpatient treatment facility. Considering the size of Gillette and the seriousness of the drug problem, this is inexcusable.

The only way of intervening and helping addicts is to get them into treatment. Local officials need to work immediately to explore ways of attracting an inpatient facility to serve this portion of the state.

5) Prevention Thank goodness for the Campbell County Sheriff ’s Office and their D.A.R.E. Officers. Unfortunately, more resources are needed. Prevention programs need to be placed in the secondary schools to reinforce and remind students of the importance of staying away from alcohol and drugs. Parents need to assume most of the responsibility and not leave this task solely to our schools and law enforcement.

2) Parents being parents It is 1:00 a.m., do you know where your children are? If you don’t, you should.

Too many children are running around this community unsupervised. It is essential that parents make an effort of knowing who their children are friends with. Where are they on Friday and Saturday nights? It is not being nosey or overbearing, it is your job.

4) Collaboration by local government, agencies and groups A lot of politicians and leaders are acknowledging there is a serious substance abuse problem in Gillette.

The question is, why is no one doing anything about it? There seems to be a void in leadership on this issue.

Making promises and talking about the drug problem is one thing – actually doing something about it is another.

Everyone needs to get involved and work together to find solutions to this complex problem.

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1) Changing attitudes and norms Marijuana is harmful. Meth is all around us. Underage drinking is not okay. A fourteen year old with cigarettes is not acceptable. T-shirts being worn by our youth that promote drug and alcohol use is not funny. It is society’s acceptance of these issues which help worsen the problem. Our kids are not growing up in the same society as you did. Today, children face many more dangers from risky behaviors then you did when you were their age. Forget the past and think of the future, your children’s future by modeling appropriate behavior and eliminating old, tired norms.

Supporting a Drug–free Workplace and Community

Red Ribbon Week

MISSION STATEMENT: The Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community is a diverse group of local citizens working to reduce substance abuse in Campbell County, Wyoming.

We believe in the importance of prevention, awareness, treatment and accountability.

We can make positive changes for the enrichment of the community by educating the public and working with local governments, groups and businesses.

PUBLIC AWARENESS: GOAL: To increase public awareness on the seriousness of all local substance abuse issues.

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACES: GOAL: To encourage local businesses to enact drug-free workplace programs that include pre-employment and random drug testing as well as providing treatment opportunities.

PREVENTION: GOAL: To work with other local coalitions and groups to encourage and support efforts to educate our community and provide alternatives to substance abuse.

COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY: GOAL: To ensure that appropriate intervention, treatment or consequences are always provided to those abusing substances.

Supporting a

drug-free

workplace &

community.

Promoting a Drug-free Workforce and Community Larry Ganskow, C.M.S.P. 5002 Rourke Ave, Gillette, WY 82718

307-686-2417 Fax: 307-682-3662 larry@safetyconsultantsinc.net

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Red Ribbon Week

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE TASK FORCE

Substance abuse at work being addressed

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his year, the Drug-Free Workplace Task Force was started by the Coalition to explore ways in which local businesses can be encouraged to develop drug free workplace policies.

Substance abuse in the workplace is a staggering problem in Campbell County. With all of the energy and construction jobs in the area, already hazardous jobs are made even more dangerous because of the presence of drugs.

A few years ago, one local drug testing facility reported that nearly one-half of the individuals tested were positive for an illegal substance.

Some businesses have drug free policies with testing while others have absolutely nothing. With the abundance of jobs in the area, some workers have no problem bouncing around from job to job. If they test positive and get fired from their employer, they will have no problem finding another job.

The institution of widespread drug free workplace policies in local industries seems like a complicated and overwhelming task.

Employers need to implement more “worker friendly” work schedules and shifts that are less mentally and physically challenging on their employees.

Smaller businesses need to be convinced they can greatly benefit from the money and effort required to institute a drug free policy with testing.

Employers need a highquality, drug free pool of workers to hire from. More people from outside the community need to be recruited. However, how can this be done with the lack of affordable housing?

Despite these challenges, the DrugFree Workplace Task Force is committed

We support the Coalition Promoting a Drug-free Community

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to finding solutions.

Our plan is to educate and work with local businesses and industries on how to institute successful drug free workplace policies.

Even small businesses can benefit from doing this. No one knows better then the owner of the Burger King restaurants in Casper. Fed up with the constant problems he was having with his employees, he instituted a drug free workplace and started tested his employees.

The result, was the bad apples left and quality workers wanted to come work for him. He has less employee turnover, which saves him the money and time needed to train new employees. His restaurants now make more money, because there are far fewer cases of employee theft.

The Burger King owner has fewer cases of people calling in sick. Knowing that he runs a drug-free workplace, he also attracts more customers. The benefits are tremendous and measurable.

The Task Force will give local businesses the information they need to start up their own drug free workplaces and have similar success stories.

We want to work with businesses and employees in finding healthy ways to address the problems associated with shift work and long hours in many different local occupations and industries.

There are also plans to promote and acknowledge those businesses that already have or start such policies. By recognizing and celebrating each business’s commitment to eliminating substance abuse problems in the workplace, others will be encouraged to do the same.

Negative Impacts Of Substance Abuse On Workplaces • Decreased productivity • Increased accidents • Higher absenteeism • More employee turnover • Greater medical costs

Self-reported Drug Use By Industry • 15.6% - Construction workers • 11.4% - Sales personnel • 11.2% - Food prep/wait staff bartenders • 10.6% - Laborers & helpers • 10.5% - Machine operators/ inspectors

Workplace Statistics • 77% of current drug users are employed.

• In 1992, alcohol and drug abuse cost the U.S. economy $246 billion.

• A survey of cocaine users showed that 75% used drugs on the job, 64% admitted drugs negatively impacted their work, 44% sold drugs to other employees, and 18% stole from other employees to support their habit.

• Alcoholism causes 500 million lost workdays every year.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor

Coalition news & events and drug prevention & education resources.

WWW.DRUGFREEGILLETTE.ORG

DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE TASK FORCE

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE SYMPOSIUM DEC. 7, 2005 • 6-9 p.m.

Gillette Campus Presentation Hall

Learn why your business should consider drug testing and how you can develop a successful drug free workplace policy.

––––– WITH GUEST SPEAKERS –––––

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Creating

a Drug-Free

Workplace Create a written drug free workplace policy.

Detail prohibited behaviors and explain the consequences for violating the policy.

Supervisory training.

Teach them the policy and how to recognize & deal with employees who may have substance abuse problems.

Tim & Dawn Force - “To Test or Not to Test” Owners of Casper Burger Kings The Force’s started drug testing their employees and have experienced large reductions in employee theft, employees calling in sick or being absent and employee turnover.

Roger Shumate - “What You Should Know in Wyoming” Attorney, Murane and Bostwick LLC in Casper Shumate is an expert on employment legal issues and will explain how the law will affect your drug free workplace policy.

––––––––––––––––––––

Employee education.

Teach the policy and provide information on drugs, the effects of abuse on individuals and the workplace & what type of help will be provided to those who have a problem.

Employee assistance.

Offer an alternative to dismissal by resolving substance abuse problems through counseling and rehabilitation.

Followed by a resource panel that will discuss other issues such as employee assistance plans, supervisory training, informational web sites and drug testing services.

Sponsored by the Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community’s Drug Free Workplace Task Force

Campbell County School District Supports the efforts of the Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community.

Everyone wins in drug-free community!

Empowering Adults & Adolescents to reclaim their lives.

• Same Day Drug and Alcohol Evaluations • Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment • Monthly DUI Classes • MIC/MIP Classes • Education/Prevention/Intervention Services • Individual, Family and Relationship Counseling • Mental Health Services Insurance Accepted • Sliding Fee Scale Available Major Credit Cards Accepted!

Drug testing.

This will help deter use, detect drug use, and provide evidence for intervention.

Supporting a Drug-Free Community Call Wyoming Behavioral Institute Gillette Clinic at 682-0442 to schedule a condential assessment with: Lisa Jacobson, LCSW, Jean Kingan, LPC or Tina Lawson, LPC.

Teaching Effectively – Learning Successfully

200 W. Lakeway, Suite 400 Gillette, Wyoming.

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DRUG-ENDANGERED CHILDREN Child Endangerment Act

Foster Parents In Short Supply

By Jenn Tonsager

M

any people have heard of family foster care, but few realize the impact it has on our society. Family foster care is a private home in which care is provided on a 24-hour basis.

In the 6th District, which includes Campbell, Crook and Weston counties, there are 70 children in family foster care. This number does not include children in relative foster care or residential treatment centers (i.e. the Y.E.S. house).

As of August, there were 35 family foster care homes in the 6th District. Due to the increase of methamphetamine use in Campbell, Crook and Weston Counties, and the Child Endangerment Law, an increase in the number of family foster care homes is needed.

The Department of Family Services has set a goal of licensing 15 additional family foster care homes by December 31, 2005. In order for an individual or couple to be licensed by the State of Wyoming for family foster care, several criteria must be met and training must be completed.

More specifically, the applicant(s) must be at least 21 years of age, are able and enjoy being parents, if married, have a stable and happy marriage, accept the fact that the children that come into foster care are not entirely theirs.

You should be physically and emotionally capable of providing foster care, be financially stable, and provide a home that is sufficient for the child’s personal privacy and personal effects.

In addition applicants must: • Submit forms allowing for central registry and DCI prescreen (not have a history of substantiated abuse or neglect or have a criminal history as defined by certification rules).

• Provide a current physicians statement stating the applicant is cognitively, physically, and emotionally capable of providing foster care.

• Have a minimum list of five references • Complete 27 hours of training prior to approval.

• Complete a TB test.

• Take infant, child and adult CPR and first aid training.

• Complete a home study and have an on-site safety inspection.

Family foster care is challenging, but extremely rewarding.

If you would like more information about becoming a foster parent or would like an application for family foster care, please contact the Department of Family Services in Gillette at 682-7277.

Occupational Testing, Inc.

supports the Coalition For a Drug-Free Community.

105 W. Lakeway Suite A 307-682-2535

I

n response to the state’s methamphetamine crisis and the negative impact the drug has had on children across the state, the Wyoming State Legislature responded by passing the Child Endangerment Act in 2004.

The new law went into effect on July 1, 2004 and has given the criminal justice system a new tool for protecting children and holding their parents accountable. The new legislation makes it illegal for someone to use, possess, store, or manufacture methamphetamine in a vehicle, residence or structure also inhabited by children.

Methamphetamine users often leave their drugs or paraphernalia such as needles in areas that are accessible to children. The same occurs with precursors used to make meth.

When methamphetamine is manufactured or used, it can permeate everything in the area.

Children have tested positive for methamphetamine when exposed to these hazards.

Several jurisdictions across the nation have begun drug-endangered children programs designed to appropriately respond to the needs of children who are found in areas where methamphetamine is present or being made.

The response involved immediately removing the children out of the home, providing them with new clothing, having them checked over medically to determine if they have been exposed to methamphetamine, and finally the child is placed in foster care.

The meth using parents or caregivers then receive substance abuse counseling, parenting classes and maintain a drug-free lifestyle before they can regain custody of their children.

Earlier this year, Governor Dave Freudenthal announced the startup of the Wyoming Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. A committee is currently examining how the State of Wyoming can best develop a drug endangered child program to respond to the needs of endangered children across the state.

If the Child Endangerment Act can be appropriately used in conjunction with

a coordinated response to help children, significant progress can be made in dealing with the problem.

One county is determined to apply the new law to pregnant mothers using methamphetamine.

On October 31, 2004, a Lander woman gave birth to a child. The Lander Police Department had learned the mother was using meth while pregnant with the child. As soon as the baby was born to the mother, officials were prepared and tested the child. The results determined the child had methamphetamine in its system.

This is thought to be the first time the new child endangerment law was applied in this manner. The American Civil Liberties Union has criticized the Fremont County Attorney’s Office for applying the child endangerment law to this case because Wyoming law does not consider the fetus to be a child until it is born. Therefore a fetus was exposed to the methamphetamine and not a child.

According to Representative Elaine Harvey (D), who wrote the law, it was crafted to include instances such as the Lander case. It is Harvey’s hope that in many cases, these women will be able to go through family or drug courts and receive treatment to help them with their meth addiction.

On May 13, 2005, a 30-year-old Gillette woman gave birth to a baby boy at Campbell County Memorial Hospital. Due to her behavior, nurses thought she was under the influence and performed tests that revealed the mother had methamphetamine and marijuana in her system A search warrant was then issued to test the child who was positive for methamphetamine.

Later, the Campbell County Attorney’s Office pursued civil neglect proceedings against the mother rather then criminal child endangerment charges.

For more information on local drug endangered child cases, see page 22.

LIVE LIFE–NOT METH As part of our upcoming “Live Life, Not Meth” advertising campaign, the Coalition has developed an eight page booklet to educate parents and other concerned citizens on methamphetamine.

The comprehensive booklet contains information on: • What is methamphetamine • Who uses methamphetamine • Why is methamphetamine harmful • How to identify methamphetamine users • How to look for methamphetamine paraphernalia

Indentifying Methamphetamine Users Meth users lose weight and the enamel wears off their teeth, resulting in deteriorating and breaking teeth.

They pick at their face to get rid of “crank bugs”. The drug causes a tingling sensation in their nerve endings which makes the user believe bugs are crawling underneath their skin. The user will then dig and pick at their skin in an attempt to get rid of the “bugs”. The results are often numerous and sometimes large scabs which appear on the face, arms, and legs of a meth user.

Sometimes, in teenagers, these crank bugs are mistaken for acne.

Users often have signs of agitation, excited speech, decreased appetite and increased physical activity levels.

Other common symptoms include: dilated pupils, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and elevated body temperature.

They can suffer from occasional episodes of sudden and violent behavior, intense paranoia, auditory and visual hallucinations, and periods of insomnia.

They have a tendency to compulsively clean and groom and repetitively sort and disassemble objects such as cars, motorcycles and other mechanical or electronic devices.

In memory of: Shane Cody Kyle Nick

Justin Kevin Josua Morgan

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AVAILABLE NOW Magnetic vehicle magnets and window clings are available form coalition members and tat the Mary Haydal presentation

COMING SOON drug-free Keeping Your Kids

An online library of videos and brochures will be available for groups & individuals to access.

A C A M PA I G N ANTI-DRUG MEDI N AT I O N A L Y O U T H ONTROL POLICY IONAL DRUG C O F F I C E O F N AT

...who were killed by a drunk driver on Sept. 16, 2001.

PLEASE THINK before you drink & drive.

Page 12

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Red Ribbon Week

alf of all Campbell who are taken advantage of at County High School parties by older boys (or in some seniors have con- case men), who fill them with sumed alcohol in the past thirty alcohol then take advantage of days. Nearly one in three local them. Some of these men are eighth grade students has done convicted of sexual assaults the same. Underage drinkand are supervised by our ing is typically a problem office. everywhere, however in We have all seen tragic Campbell County; the instances of alcohol statistics show the probrelated deaths involving lem is much worse than our kids. Whether it in most places across was a drunk driving the nation. accident with a group of While much time University of Wyoming and attention has cross country athletes deservedly been or a suicide/murder given to issues involving local surrounding ranch kids. illegal drugs, On an early alcohol is by far S a t u r d a y the most abused morning this drug by our past September, youth. another probation Efforts are officer, and underway to myself assisted change social deputies with norms, which the Campbell permit the use of C o u n t y illegal drugs or Sher iff ’s the consumption Office at an of alcohol by our underage youth. Changing drinking these norms and party near the attitudes seems airport. like a daunting There must task. We’ve all have been three heard the excuses and dozen kids justifications. It is part of the crammed into a growing up process. We did it singlewide trailer. when we were kids. If they are Many were drinking and to old enough to drive or vote, they other’s credit, some were not. should be able to drink. Sound I wondered to myself if this familiar? kid’s parents knew where these The problem is that society is kids were at midnight. Do they not the same as it was twenty or thirty years To keep this ago. There are many more dangers and community’s risks faced by teens children safe and free of who are growing up.

They are exposed to drugs and alcohol, the many of these things solutions are the same. while consuming It is up to parents alcohol, such as drugs, violence, and to be parents. rape. The impairment alcohol causes also puts kids at greater not have a curfew? Do they get risk for unwanted pregnancies, to walk in their parent’s house suicide, or committing crimes. whenever they please? Maybe I have repeatedly seen they were supposed to be instances of young teenage girls

UNDERAGE DRINKING spending an innocent night at a friend’s house watching movies.

I tried to bite my tongue and maintain my professionalism as some of the kids who tested positive for alcohol claimed that they had not touched a drop of alcohol. One intoxicated girl even had her father convinced she had done nothing wrong.

Her father, who came to pick her up, refused to believe his daughter would be lying, despite the positive breath test and the obvious smell of alcohol on her breath. He thought there must have been something wrong with our testing equipment or that we didn’t know how to use it properly. The problem obviously was not any equipment; it was someone’s denial.

To keep this community’s children safe and free of drugs and alcohol, the solutions are the same. It is up to parents to be parents.

Set rules and limits and enforce them. A 17-year-old has no reason to be out at 2:00 in the morning. Know whom your children are associating with.

Are they your son or daughter’s age? Or are they in their twenties and old enough to buy alcohol?

Ask questions and verify where your kids are. Get to know their friend’s parents.

It is not snooping or not trusting your children to call or drive by and verify where they are, it is being a good parent.

Set an example for appropriate behavior. How often do you drink in front of your children? How often are you intoxicated in front of them? How much alcohol is in your home and is it accessible to your children?

If more parents would model better behaviors and supervise their children better, huge strides could be made in keeping our youth substance abuse free.

Written by Chris Yager, Wyoming Department of Corrections

MYTH: What parents say or do won’t make any difference; teenagers only listen to their friends.

FACT: Parents can be very influential. A study of adolescents and their families conducted by the Research Institute on Addictions revealed that both adolescent girls and adolescent boys whose parents supervise their friendships and activities are less likely to engage in problem behaviors, including drinking, and that this was true regardless of race or income level.

MYTH: He only drinks beer. It’s a phase – he’ll get over it, just like I did.

FACT: Adolescents who begin drinking before age 15 or younger are four times more likely to develop problems with alcohol use and dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21 or older. Many engage in binge drinking, which is drinking five or more drinks on one occasion. Some people mistakenly believe that beer and wine are light in alcohol content, in fact, they have the same alcohol content.

MYTH: A person will not do anything when intoxicated that he or she would not do sober.

FACT: Alcohol is a depressant. What alcohol depresses are inhibitions, which allow us to do things we would not do if sober.

As the inhibitory processes are depressed by alcohol, the effect on the brain can cause a personality change and cloud judgement.

As few as two drinks can impair coordination and thinking.

MYTH: It’s okay for young people to drink, just as long as they don’t drive. The worst that can happen is they’ll wake up with a terrible hangover.

FACT: Wrong. The worst that can happen is that they won’t wake up at all. A person can drink enough to kill him or herself in a couple of hours by drinking a large amount of alcohol quickly.

When the blood alcohol content reaches a certain concentration, heart rate and respiration can shut down. Drinking also increases the risk of injury from car crashes, falls, burns, drowning, suicide, as well as the chance that a young person will commit a crime or become a victim of a crime.

MYTH: Alcohol is not such a big deal, compared with illicit drugs.

FACT: Alcohol is a factor in the three leading causes of death among 14- and 15-year-olds: unintentional injuries, homicides, and suicides.

Join us in reducing underage drinking! www.ccaud.org Susan Shippy, Chairwoman Phone: 307-682-7593, e-mail: sshippy@ccsd.k12.wy.us

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY June 15, 2005

children to have opportunity, not adversity. In the past, law enforcement has tried to present Greetings: the entire community’s drug-related concerns During the last couple of years, and solutions. Each group we have spoken Cpl. Quentin Reynolds and I with has both individual and shared concerns have given Methamphetamine and solutions. The community’s “all for one Awareness lectures within the and one for all” feelings are apparent. All of community. Quentin supervises the you described individual problems, but also D.A.R.E. and Resource Officers and asked about treatment, children, and the future.

I supervise the Drug Unit and am a Providing the Commissioners and Council with sergeant in investigations. After two years a clear and complete picture would improve tax of receiving public input, we would like to support for organizations like the Y.E.S. House and share with all of you what we have learned. If we create greater consideration for improved treatment documented the injuries methamphetamine abuse programs. has created in Campbell County, it would fill a book.

The local judges, by our own system of government, Attached to this letter is a brief description. should not be individually confronted, targeted or At the end of each lecture, we explain that the indoctrinated about issues such as these. The legal methamphetamine problem needs to be confronted voice of the people to the courts is the Campbell in the same way drunken driving, child abuse, County Attorney. domestic violence and racism have been confronted The Child Endangerment Law has been narrowed and diminished – by strong public opinion. in the scope of the law’s intended use. The law, which Individual concerns need to be presented directly to was meant to protect children from the environment of those in charge of the community’s budget and the methamphetamine abuse by adults, has been reduced community’s legal voice. to a child-methamphetamine contact law. Law The Campbell County Commissioners and the enforcement cannot go into the courtroom and legally Gillette City Council need to have direct contact with hearsay testimony concerning the endangerments to all victim groups. Law enforcement cannot accurately the physical health, education, and mental health a assess the scope of health problems, dental problems, child suffers living, non-stop, in a methamphetamine teachers’ concerns, and the subtle manipulations by environment. Doctors, teachers, and counselors need drug abusers that have reduced employee safety. To to testify as experts in their associated fields. effectively disburse tax dollars, The error of placing first those in control of the budgets time methamphetamine ...the need to be aware of the cost offenders on unsupervised methamphetamine abuse has probation needs to be methamphetamine created to the entire community. explained by professional problem needs to be Listed in the attachment treatment counselors, confronted in the same way are general groupings of not law enforcement. methamphetamine’s victims. We drunken driving, child abuse, Treatment counselors, each are victimized in several ways. domestic violence and racism treatment hours, and Quentin and I have law enforcement treatment dollars are best have been confronted responsibilities, but we are also spent when first time users and diminished – by family members, worry about rising are sentenced to extensive health care costs, want local labor treatment. Professional strong public opinion. markets to work safely and want testimony is needed to

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help courts use these extremely limited resources in the most beneficial manner.

Sharing your individual ideas, your professional concerns and your personal knowledge is how your opinion will serve our community.

The Commissioners and City Council control the purse strings. They need your support to clearly understand our problem. Without clear, complete, and accurate information, our elected officials become victims. The Campbell County Attorney needs your support to successfully prosecute Campbell County’s methamphetamine users and better protect our children. The Campbell County Attorney also needs professional assistance in educating the courts about child endangerment and the need to move users into earlier treatment.

Quentin and I have tried to eliminate all exaggeration from our lectures. We believe our children are Campbell County’s future. The more we learn about physical health problems, mental health problems and treatment problems associated with methamphetamine, the more we need everyone’s involvement.

Please support your family, your profession and your community by sharing your concerns with the Campbell County Commissioners, Gillette City Council and Campbell County Attorney.

I have distributed this letter to individuals and groups that have shown an interest in the Campbell County methamphetamine issue. Please consider sharing your concerns with others.

Respectfully, Steve Hamilton (307) 682-7271 Continued on page 14

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Continued from page 13

SCHOOLS: Two years ago the Campbell County School district witnessed a methamphetamine dealer declare she used ten “runners” to move $35,000 of methamphetamine each week to her primary market: high school students. Elementary School teachers and counselors watch an increasing population of ADHD students that are associated with guardians who are suspected of methamphetamine use.

Junior High Schools are locked between the increasing ADHD population approaching from the Elementary level and the decreasing age of drug abusers from above.

Counselors are required by Wyoming law (WSS 14-3-205) to report suspected child abuse and neglect. A local defense attorney has challenged this, receiving an opportunity to question the counselor’s professionalism in District Court. The counselor’s decision was upheld, but this style of intimidation, needs to be addressed. The attorney had the legal right to question the law.

The court had the duty to consider the attorney’s question. Now, the Commissioners and City Council need to be made aware of this event. They cannot change the law, but knowing school counselors are being victimized in this way is an important, real and political event. Public support of the schools, the administrators, the teachers and the counselors can be publicly expressed.

CHILDREN: The Campbell County Public Health Nurse and the Campbell County Children’s Development Services witness the devastating effect upon child victims that a guardian’s use of methamphetamine produces.

The Gillette office of the Wyoming Department of Family Services attributes a huge percentage of their neglect reports to guardians using methamphetamine or allowing methamphetamine into the home.

DFS is a Wyoming State agency, but the local agents are an exceptional source of information about Campbell County conditions. Foster care has reached a critical shortage. The Youth Emergency Services House (Y.E.S. House) has continuous contact with

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY

youthful victims of methamphetamine, and needs greater community support.

Child care facilities and foster families can be a budget consideration for our tax dollars.

Efforts to protect children from continuous methamphetamine environments are meeting limited success. Legal manipulations to replace felony charges of child endangerment with civil actions of neglect have diminished the intended purpose of the law. In defense of those making these legal decisions, the lack of Campbell County foster care families make longterm placement of victim children impossible.

MEDICAL: The OB/GYN staff of the Campbell County Memorial Hospital has watched methamphetamine devastate the lives of newborn infants and inflicts a huge financial burden on health care costs. The Emergency Room staff witnesses a continuous flow of patients receiving medical care for illnesses that would be nonexistent except for methamphetamine.

The Campbell County methamphetamine market has charged the community for emergency room visits, prenatal and postnatal child care, neglected and abused child care, dental care, County Health provision, inmate health care, labor accidents, and domestic violence injuries. Dental offices have seen a continual increase in methamphetamine related gum disease and tooth decay. It is irrelevant if these unnecessary medical expenses are being paid by insurance (overall rates then increase) or left unpaid by the patient. We are ultimately paying.

The continuous “in your face” devastation methamphetamine has created to children confronts nurses and doctors, as it has teachers and counselors. These professions are difficult enough without the added helplessness of seeing guardians continue to use methamphetamine with impunity. This information needs to be directly and frequently stated to the controllers of Campbell County’s budget and legal voice. It is not the information protected by patient’s rights that is important; it is the whole picture, the number of patients and number of health care dollars lost.

LABOR: Real and powerful concern has been expressed by every organization: governmental and private. Diverse groups, such as the Campbell County Workforce Development Group, have sought realistic solutions to the damage methamphetamine has inflicted on Campbell County. Responsible local businesses have entered into investigating ways to identify drug users within their workforce and to understand every option in dealing with individual abusers.

Private drug testing facilities have been very supportive in their attempts to improve the reliability of chemical testing. Their recommendations to Campbell County businesses are realistic. The testing facility documents the contents of the sample, but improving the collection techniques and varying the testing methods, both responsibilities of the client, can dramatically improve the accuracy of the test. Responsible employers now realize the samples are easy to manipulate by individual employees and unscrupulous businesses to provide false negative results.

Honest business, in an effort to provide a safe work environment, has become the victim of both employee methamphetamine use and dishonest business practices by a few manipulative companies. Honest business must continue to keep methamphetamine out of the workforce, and will be confronted with the cost of such efforts. Too often, where no problem is routinely found, efforts wane and the cost of eradicating methamphetamine from a workforce becomes far greater.

TREATMENT: Methamphetamine treatment is not isolated to the relationship between an addicted abuser and a counselor.

Treatment is a consideration to employers, DFS, the Y.E.S. house, school counselors, The Campbell County Drug Court, the Diversion Program, Probation and Parole departments, and the strong recommendation by private physicians to addicted patients.

Treatment needs to start with new users, where treatment has a reasonable possibility of success. Too often health care costs are wasted on abusers that are seriously addicted. Our limited resources should be invested

where failure is minimal and recovery greatest.

Treatment for tobacco abuse in juveniles is minimal, but nicotine has been identified as a very probable physical gateway drug, acting on the brain in a similar way as methamphetamine. Effort to minimize teenage smoking is not just a long-term cancer and respiratory defense. The probable association of nicotine and methamphetamine needs to be clearly stated.

Teenage alcohol use is receiving attention. Why? The public has recognized the problem and public opinion in support of law enforcement efforts, teaching efforts and presentations has given a message to law enforcement officers, prosecutors and courts. Yet, we still have those in the community that believe expressions like the Mad Dog T-shirts are harmless. Constitutional Rights are a measurement of democracy. When these rights are used, the statement made is a measure of the individual.

CITIZENS GROUPS AND FAMILIES: The Campbell County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community has a strong base of support in the Gillette.

The Coalition was formed to confront all drug use, including tobacco and alcohol. The members are interested in increasing awareness of drug issues, enforcement of laws, and treatment of victims.

Every person has family interests, but those family members who attend lectures given to church groups, foster parent groups and the general public learn more ways to protect their family.

Many, already have suffered a loss. This loss, if they’re comfortable sharing it with a Commissioner or member of the City Council would have a great impact.

You may have noticed that I have used the term “guardian” throughout this document. Conventional families rarely exist in the methamphetamine culture. Children are raised and “guarded” by step-parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, significant-others, their siblings, methamphetamine customers, methamphetamine dealers, or just anyone that is convenient while the original parent is “hooking up”.

Continued on page 15

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY

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Continued from page 14

LEGAL ISSUES: Place one of the most addictive drugs in one hand of a young person, and unsupervised probation into the other.

Which will win? Strong, productive, informed sentencing argument is the responsibility of the County Attorney.

If the Campbell County Attorney is being forced by the lack of foster care or professional testimony to plea bargain with criminals that endanger children, these needs should be addressed. The crime of placing a child in an environment of methamphetamine abuse, identified not only by the drug and paraphernalia, but by a guardian’s lifestyle has been successfully presented to courts in States considered liberal by Campbell County standards. This crime can be successfully prosecuted in Campbell County.

LAW ENFORCEMENT: The community’s law enforcement agencies are, like the medical professionals, teachers, businesses, treatment professionals and family members, limited to the scope of their authority and jurisdiction.

The Campbell County Detention Center’s inmate health care costs are tremendous. Drug related family violence, child abuse, and thefts are the majority of law enforcement’s call load.

Law enforcement needs the entire legitimate community to understand methamphetamine will continue to thrive where a market exists. Local law enforcement has absolutely no jurisdiction at the sources of methamphetamine. Past legal actions have been most often directed at methamphetamine dealers moving the drug from the out-of-state source to the Campbell County methamphetamine market. Leaving the source and the market in place has substantially helped to create the problem we all face.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has been exceptionally successful at targeting methamphetamine traffickers. DCI has both the State-wide jurisdiction and public support to go after “the big dealer”. Campbell County’s local law enforcement needs equally

strong public support to reduce the local market, the users. Campbell County law enforcement must work within their jurisdiction, and cannot force other States to increase their enforcement efforts to eradicate the ultimate source.

Detention centers, both the Campbell County Sheriff ’s and the Volunteers of America, have problems they face from methamphetamine abuse. While the Campbell County Commissioners and Gillette City Council may not be able to budget directly to both of these detention centers, the problems they face and their suggested solutions may apply to others in business and schools.

METHAMPHETAMINE ADDICTED USERS: The Drug Court, treatment centers, the Campbell County Detention Center and Volunteers of America routinely have patients, inmates or clients that have information pertinent to the overall knowledge of anyone truly trying to understand methamphetamine abuse. I have spoken with over a thousand of these folks over 24 years. Many, while telling me arrest is not the answer, have admitted it was only arrest that moved them to change. I have never heard of a new user seeking treatment. Heavy abusers, that no longer are receiving pleasure from a drug they have built a tolerance to, may seek treatment.

Unfortunately, when tolerance diminishes, the vast majority (probably 85%) return to methamphetamine.

They want to be clean, and they, better than anyone, understand what they have lost, but this drug overrides the best intentions and the finest treatment. Employees that have been confronted with a possible loss of a job, may seek treatment. The person we are trying to save, a young, new user of methamphetamine, will not volunteer for treatment.

I strongly disagree with a statement I frequently hear; “You can’t arrest your way out of this problem.” What you cannot do is “incarcerate your way out of this problem.” There are not enough cells to hold all of Campbell County’s methamphetamine market.

We can arrest our way out of the problem. Not just conventional arrest, but employers enforcing their anti-

drug policies, schools enforcing antidrug policies, parents not turning a blind-eye to children’s use. As users are arrested or confronted, treatment cannot be an option. Incarceration may be an option, expulsion may be an option, job termination may be an option, grounding may be an option, but treatment must be mandatory.

These facilities do not currently exist, but tax dollars can be used to increase availability. Sentencing can be used to maximize group counseling of new offenders on weekends instead of ludicrous unsupervised probation.

THE FIVE-LETTER RULE: A rule of community power was recently explained to Quentin and I. For our community, any issue that creates five or more reasonable letters to the elected officials is recognized as a significant concern.

Methamphetamine abuse has been a continuous concern in Campbell County for several years and this serious problem has generated significant communication.

The individual citizens groups, professions, businesses, public offices and families need to focus together on the most cost effective and law effective ways to coordinate all the knowledge within Campbell County, Wyoming against methamphetamine abuse. During the last two years Quentin and I have realized that our community contains an incredible wealth of knowledgeable and capable citizens that are already confronting issues of methamphetamine abuse.

The community does not need to seek or employ experts from outside, or fund independent studies. We, as a community, simply need to coordinate our efforts.

We would like each of you to consider contacting the Campbell County Commissioners, the Gillette Mayor and City Council or the Campbell County Attorney, not in complaint, but in support. If you are unable to offer your services, please take the time to describe how an environment of this drug has created possible complications to your profession or family, not in a form of complaint or demand, but so your knowledge is not lost. Our community and our children need letters from each group; letters that offer support, knowledge and a request for leadership in a coordinated effort.

Campbell County Commissioner’s Office 500 S. Gillette Ave Gillette, WY 82716 (307) 682-7283 FAX: 687-6325 Marilyn Mackey, Chair Roy Edwards Chris Knapp Craig Mader Alan Weakly

Campbell County Attorney’s Office 500 S. Gillette Ave Gillette WY 82716 (307) 682-4310 FAX: 687-6441 Jeani Stone, County Attorney Bill Edelman, Chief Deputy

Gillette City Council PO Box 3003 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-5203 FAX: 686-1593 Mike McInerney, Ward One Gary Carter, Ward One Everett A. Boss, Ward Two Steve Hughes, Ward Two Lee Wittler, Ward Three Tom Murphy, Jr., Ward Three

Duane Evenson, Mayor PO Box 3003 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-5203 FAX: 686-1593

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METHAMPHETAMINE PRESENTATION

Meth Presentation Educates Community

S

gt. Steve Hamilton has been with the Campbell County Sheriff ’s Office since 1978.

For the last few years he has been giving methamphetamine awareness presentations all over this corner of the state. Due to his extensive experience as an investigator and as a past member of the Northeast Wyoming Drug Task Force, there is probably no one else in the area with more knowledge of methamphetamine.

Hamilton and his speaking partner, Deputy Quentin Reynolds, have given dozens of these presentations to the public, businesses, and health care professionals and includes an intricate slide show with many photos and items confiscated from searches.

He talks about how hard it is to sometimes detect methamphetamine usage because of the “ambiguity of the paraphernalia associated with using it.” Tin foil, pop cans, light bulbs, hollowed out pens, and folded up pieces of paper mean nothing to most people.

However, to law enforcement personnel, they can all be signs of someone using meth.

Hamilton gives extensive instructions on what meth looks like, how it is used and signs to look for which suggest someone has been using.

The presentation spends some time on scientific information of how methamphetamine effects the brain. The latest research now indicates that chronic meth users develop symptoms similar to people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.

One of the challenges in detecting meth use is also that the “symptoms of meth abuse mimic natural changes occurring in teenage years,” Hamilton says.

The weight loss associated with meth use can be a natural occurrence with teenagers whose bodies are undergoing physical changes as they mature. Teens also undergo emotional changes and some tend to challenge authority.

This behavior could be confused with meth users who are easily agitated and aggressive.

Finally, meth users sometimes have what are

referred to as “crank bugs”.

Users have sensations in their nerve endings which lead them to believe there are bugs crawling underneath their skin. Therefore, they pick at their skins to try to remove these bugs. The result is scabs from picking their skin which can sometimes have the appearance of some forms of acne that teenagers suffer from.

One of the issues addressed during the presentation is the denial many people face Steve Hamilton and Quentin Reynolds gave their meth presentation recently to ninety regarding the seriousness of people at the library. the local methamphetamine problem. Of all the methamphetamine delivery cases that were handled by federal prosecutors in 2003, a staggering 155 pounds of methamphetamine were accounted for that was sold in Campbell County.

Sgt. Hamilton has spoken to health care professionals regarding the scope of the drug problem. According to one local dentist, as many as one-third of his patients between 18 and 25 exhibit signs of methamphetamine use. Local emergency room workers have estimated that one-third of their emergency room visits are attributed to heart problems that are related to meth use.

One of the most important emphasis’ of the presentation is that the methamphetamine problem is market driven. Eliminating drug dealers will never • How meth is used eliminate the problem. As long as there is a demand • Signs and symptoms of meth use for meth, there will be people waiting in line to replace arrested methamphetamine dealers. The money that • Its effect on brain can be made is too tempting for some.

• Campbell County’s meth problem Treatment and prevention need to work hand in • Problem is market driven hand with law enforcement and intervention efforts.

Campbell County Adult Drug Court Team encourages participants to: • Remain Clean & Sober • Accept Responsibility & Contribute to Society • Obtain & Maintain Employment • Deal with Underlying Counseling Issues • Build Family & Personal Relationships • Become Productive, Contributing Members of the Community Drug Court Coordinator, Kathy Williams 500 S. Gillette Ave, Ste. 2500 • 307-687-6470

Destiny is not ours by chance, but by choice

Methamphetamine Awareness Presentation WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

CONTACT Steve Hamilton Quentin Reynolds Campbell Co. Sheriff ’s Office 600 W. Boxelder Gillette WY

682-6061 This presentation is intended for any business, civic group, church group, professional group, or club interested in learning more about the local methamphetamine problem.

Presentations will be given to small groups. Due to the nature of some of the information, this presentation is not intended for young persons.

CHANGING ATTITUDES

Red Ribbon Week

Prison And Government Are Not The Solution

T

he City of Gillette recently released the results of its “2005 Citizen Survey”. On a positive note, the survey showed the people of Gillette recognize we have a serious drug problem. What is concerning, is what local citizens might want done to address the problem.

Over six hundred people returned the surveys, some of who submitted the following written comments: • “Keep crime and drugs out of the community. Have harsher punishments” • “We need to crack down on the methamphetamine problem” (302) • “We need to have harsher punishments for drug dealers and criminals” (209) There are two problems with these statements. First, is the belief that all drug users and criminals should be thrown behind bars and have the key thrown away. The second is that the government bears the responsibility in addressing the drug problem.

With an already booming and outof-control prison population, making penalties even stiffer for methamphetamine uses seem inconceivable.

While throwing everyone in prison seems easy, it is doubtful the same people who advocate this would want to be among the taxpayers who would bear this responsibility.

In addition to being expensive, prison is not effective. Housing a drug user is only a short-term fix to a longterm problem. That prison stay is not going to make it any more likely that person will not go back to using drugs when they get out.

Treatment on the other hand, has been shown to be effective. It is much less expensive than prison and goes a lot further in helping an addict start down the road to recovery.

If a methamphetamine user doesn’t take advantage of the rehabilitation and treatment opportunities or poses a risk to the public, then they can be sent to prison.

It is undeniable the government plays an important roll in protecting the public from criminals and drug users. However, it is a mistake to think the government bears all the responsibility. Arresting drug dealers and trying to lesson the availability of drugs is just a small part of the equation.

Actually, it is society that most of this burden should be put upon.

The drug problem is caused by our society and can be best addressed by its citizens.

Parents need to teach their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. They also need to supervise and watch over their children. Many people know of someone who uses methamphetamine but decide it is none of their business or that they don’t want to get involved. This is a mistake.

Parents allow their children to use tobacco and alcohol, making them susceptible to eventually using harder drugs. We let early childhood behavioral and emotional problems go unchecked.

We let our teenagers run around town at all hours and don’t know what they are doing or whom they are with.

As you can see, there are many things as citizens we can do to address the local drug problem that would be actually much more effective than anything we could expect our government to do.

Page 17

Gateway Drugs

By Debbie Reid, Program Manager Campbell County Tobacco Prevention

I

n a substance abuse arena, a very common misunderstanding involves the term “gateway drugs”.

It is surprising how many people, teens and adults alike, have no idea what a gateway drug is. Many people have never even heard the term “gateway drug”, and it is plain to see that if we don’t understand the concept of gateway drugs, we are never going to understand why it is important to eliminate their use.

The explanation is really very simple.

Gateway drugs are substances that will eventually be legal to teenagers once they reach the age of 21. There are only two gateway drugs and they are alcohol and tobacco. Either of these drugs is destructive in its own right.

They are called “gateway drugs” because using them can “open the door” to other drug use. All of the other drugs: hallucinogens, inhalants, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, misused prescriptions and the rest, are all illicit drugs. The use of these illicit drugs is illegal at any age.

It is very important to understand that the use of gateway drugs among teenagers is directly related to those who go on to use illicit drugs. It is a proven fact that most users of illicit drugs started out with an addiction to alcohol or tobacco.

There is a very strong link that binds these two addictions. Adults rarely ever start using psychoactive drugs for the very first time. The younger a person is when he/she starts using drugs, the more trouble he/she gets into with drugs and the more trouble he/she has in stopping drug use.

There is a strong link between age and the effects of gateway drugs. If a young person doesn’t start using tobacco before the age of 18 there is a very good chance they never will. Each day, more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarette; and each day another 2,000 kids under 18 years of age become new regular, daily

smokers— and sadly, roughly one-third of them will eventually die prematurely from tobacco caused disease. Most teens report first using tobacco in the sixth grade or earlier.

The ninth grade is the most frequent time when students first become drunk.

Over one third of all alcoholics in this country are under 21. Several studies have found that, if society can prevent an individual from using any gateway drug until age 21, the chances are 93-7 that person will not use illicit drugs as an adult or use alcohol in a high-risk manner.

Put another way, in a comprehensive article, “How to Beat Drugs,” in U.S. News & World Report, 9-11-99, it was stated: “Every drug counselor and drugeducation expert interviewed agrees that a drug or alcohol abuser who did not begin with at least one gateway drug is virtually unknown”.

Unfortunately many parents are relieved that their children aren’t using hard core drugs. They take a passive interest in the fact that their kids are smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or drinking alcohol. What they need to know is that their children are likely to move on from one addiction to another. Alcohol and tobacco addiction lead directly to the addiction of more hard core drugs. Nicotine has been proven to affect the brain centers in such a way to be equally as addictive as heroine or cocaine. If a teenager starts to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes or cigars, or starts to chew tobacco, his or her body eventually develops a tolerance for it. This is how a person can become addicted. Eventually, the user is not satisfied with the high that they get from tobacco or alcohol, and they crave something stronger. They often find themselves going onto bigger challenges.

We must regard the use of tobacco and alcohol with the same level of unacceptance for our children as we do the use of methamphetamine or crack cocaine. Adults, parents and teens alike are responsible for making good choices.

Choosing to live a life that doesn’t include abuse of alcohol or use of tobacco may be the difficult choice at times...but it will always be the right one.

Page 18

Red Ribbon Week

JUNIOR HIGH ESSAY WINNERS

A

ll junior high English teachers in Campbell County were invited to participate in the Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest. Teachers were asked to have their students write brief essays on the topic of underage drinking and then submit the top papers to the Coalition for judging.

The purpose of this contest was to increase our youth’s awareness regarding the issue of underage drinking. Thank you to Mrs. Schultz from Twin Spruce Junior High School and Mrs. Fisher at Wright Senior/Junior High School for their participation.

The Contest Winners 7th grade 1st place (tie) – Jessica Christopherson (Twin Spruce) & Jessica Fogle (Twin Spruce) 2nd place – Alex Lang (Twin Spruce) 3rd place – Casey Dryer (Twin Spruce) & Marla Brooks (Twin Spruce)

8th grade – No entries 9th grade –

Special thanks to the judges, Scott Clem, Susan Shippy, Joyce Keith & Chris Yager

1st place – Lindsay Hamm (Wright) 2nd place – Leslie Tracy (Wright)

SEVENTH GRADE WINNER

SEVENTH GRADE WINNER

Underage Drinking: A Disaster in a Bottle

Death Comes Fast, By Jessica Fogle

By Jessica Christopherson After doing research about underage drinking I have realized how harmful and stupid it is. Someone I know had been drinking underage. It affected his reputation, his family, and his overall life. After seeing the impact it had on his life as well as the people in my research I have seen how bad underage drinking affects people. We need to work to prevent it.

Many underage drinking occasions end in harm. Many underage drinkers over drink and get alcohol poisoning on their first time (Sometimes ending in death). When people are drunk and young they tend to make very stupid decisions.

Some may even be stupid enough to do something outrageous like jumping off a cliff or driving drunk. When people find out about people who drink underage they will most likely lose their respect for those people. When people drink they need to think about the people it will affect other than themselves. In my opinion it is very selfish to drink underage because they’re hurting people other than themselves.

Since underage drinking is such a large problem, we need to be prepared to prevent it. In order to prevent underage drinking, parents need to keep all alcohol locked up or in a safe spot. No matter how much they may trust their children, they will still have the urge to try it. Whether it be for popularity or acceptance, or doing it out of sheer curiosity, it is still not acceptable. Wyoming is the number one state in this country for drinking alcohol before the age of thirteen. This doesn’t mean just a few sips, this means actually drinking a glass or more. Another way to prevent it is for parents to talk to their children about drinking. It really does help. Even if people are just 13 they can talk to their friends about not drinking.

The last way to prevent underage drinking is setting an example for others not to drink. If they do drink, they should try not to do it in front of children. They may be, in a way, telling them it’s okay to drink.

As you can see, underage drinking is harmful, but everyone can prevent it.

How often do you think about how dangerous underage drinking is or how you can prevent it? Although drinking alcohol isn’t as bad for adults, it is very dangerous for underage kids. How can we prevent underage drinking?

First, and most important, underage drinking is very harmful in many ways. Alcohol effects everyone very differently, especially kids. When kids drink underage it is extremely harmful for them and others. For kids who have their license and are underage, when they drink, this is a problem. If they are drinking and they decide to drive they could be in an accident, which could end up bad. They could end up hurting themselves or others. Also when underage kids drink they do things that they usually wouldn’t do. They may say things to someone close that they would usually never say. The scariest thing that kids could do if drunk is possibly commit suicide. That or they could hurt someone else.

They may do things like this when they are drunk because the alcohol is overpowering them and they don’t even know what they are doing until it is too late. Sometimes if the kid is lucky they find help in time before they hurt someone else or themselves.

Equally important, kids who drink underage don’t know when to stop drinking, which could lead to alcohol poisoning. If kids get alcohol poisoning, they are lucky to get away with only a fine and they will probably be sick for a few days. That isn’t always the case though. Some kids don’t just get sick- they could die from alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is very scary and very serious.

Although the facts are scary, there are many ways for preventing it. A good way is to have parents talk to their children about how harmful drinking is. It helps when people are there letting you know that it isn’t good. Another way is for parents to have their kids check in every few hours to let them know what they are doing. Also, parents will know if their kids are where they are supposed to be. In addition, fines for those who hold parties that have underage drinkers present will be higher. No only are the people throwing the party getting fines, the kids who are drinking underage are getting fined too. The fines for those kinds of things are getting higher because maybe raising the fines will help kids realize how bad underage drinking is for them. So parents, watch your kids carefully make sure that they aren’t drinking because it is very bad for them and others.

I have something else to tell you about underage drinking that I think is very interesting. I learned that Wyoming is #1 in the nation for kids who take more then a few sips of alcohol before the age of 13. I thought this was interesting because I never knew that there were so many kids drinking underage in Wyoming.

This also shocked me because I never thought that this was a major problem for Wyoming teenagers.

JUNIOR HIGH ESSAY WINNERS

Red Ribbon Week

Page 19

NINTH GRADE WINNER Underage Drinking

By Lindsay Hamm In this report I would like to inform you of what underage drinking can do and how you can prevent it from happening to you… …Underage drinking has become such a problem that most people have given up on trying to stop them Other people have tried more then ever to stop this. I believe that it is so dangerous because teens will go out driving and kill themselves, other passengers that are with them or people in other vehicles.

One of the worst things that could happen is that they live but have brain damage for the rest of their lives or be paralyzed from the neck down, or knowing for the rest of your life that you killed someone!

Underage drinking is one of my worst fears. Why do these teens think that they can just do whatever they want even though it is illegal? I know that we all just want to have fun, but it can lead to very bad things. Teens just want to forget about all the bad things for that one moment.

Underage drinking is rising and probably won’t decrease.

You have heard these horrible things of what can happen from underage drinking. Now I will tell you some ideas of mine on how to prevent this from happening to you.

All you have to do is say no! I know that everyone has done the D.A.R.E. program in school and we all know how simple it is to say no. “Peer pressure” is one of the most common ways to start drinking. Your buddies say it won’t hurt once to take a sip. Well, sorry to inform you that one sip could get you drinking for the rest of your life.

I know going to parties can be fun when you are in high school. But does getting drunk make it fun? I know most heavy drinkers will do it to forget about their worries.

It is worth it just having a fun time or having a hangover when you get up. When kids drink underage in this small town of Wright everyone knows about it even before you get home! There are consequences for your actions like not being able to go to the homecoming dance or not doing something else you have been waiting for. Just don’t do it is the most information I can give you. I think keeping kids busy would help because you don’t have time to do anything. Going to school, doing sports, playing, anything to keep teens busy. Take all the energy from them. If you don’t have things to do then do homework!

I hope that you will take this information that I have given you and someday use it to your advantage.

The Gentle Art of Dentistry Patrick J. Love, D.D.S. Robert W. Barelman, D.D.S.

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Powder River Dental Associates 307-682-6655 • 805 4J Road Gillette, WY 82716

We support a Drug Free Community Financing Available

Heritage Christian School 510 Wall Street Court • Gillette, WY 82718 www.hcsgillette.org • (307) 686-1392

Page 20

YES HOUSE

Red Ribbon Week

A general overview of

Youth Emergency Services, Inc. (Y.E.S. House)

Y

es House history, programs and goals will help our community to gain a better understanding of why we have a pressing need to step up the investment in our children. The problem that the Y.E.S. House is trying to solve is significant, because it directly relates to the health and welfare of the most valuable resource in our society – CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. The Y.E.S. House is a private nonprofit agency that provides prevention, treatment, counseling, education, support, and aftercare on a 24-hour basis to needy children and their families with the ultimate goal of ensuring safety and keeping families together whenever possible.

Some of our children are referred to the Y.E.S. House because of substance abuse, physical or

sexual abuse, depression, suicide attempts or other emotional problems. The Y.E.S. House has been providing services to atrisk youth since 1976. To assist our community and families in times of crisis, we focus on being responsive to their changing needs.

Presently, we provide ten (10) different programs to youth and their families.

All of our programs are designed to ensure that children are safe, nurtured and encouraged to develop to their full potential.

The demand for the Y.E.S. House services has been growing steadily for the last 10 years. In 2004/2005 we will serve approximately 576 children and their families for nearly 27,217 child days. These figures represent an increase of 318% in the numbers of children served and an increase of 678% in service days as compared

to the numbers from 1994/1995. To address these dramatic increases, we at the Y.E.S. House, have done our best to accommodate the high demand for our services and to continue to provide quality programs to families in need.

For ten years the Y.E.S. House has been actively pursuing different options to meet the growing demand for services.

We are currently housed in four (4) different locations, two (2) of which are rentals. We are continually outgrowing our facilities. To continue to be able to meet the demand for services that families in crisis have, we need to be able to expand our programs.

This is why the Y.E.S. House is taking a giant step. We are building a unified campus on the 20 acres that the City of Gillette so considerately donated to us. The purpose of the Y.E.S. House Campus project is to unify all of our 10 programs into one location and expand our programs to more children and families, while being as cost effective as possible. The campaign plan is to build four buildings on one site. The expansion of the facilities will provide a space increase from 20,926 sq. ft. to 51,400 sq. ft. that will allow us to serve approximately 217 children per day instead of 152 children. In a way, the challenges that the Y.E.S. House has been facing for several years have proved to be positive for youth and families. They have forced us to focus and to develop

the vision for our project which will keep families together by providing them with services that address the complicated issues youth and families face.

Governor Freudenthal said, “MY commitment to YOU is: if you (city, county and the community) help to build the building (Y.E.S. House), I will make sure these programs are funded and they work. It is incredibly important that we care about the next generation.” ________________________________ The Y.E.S House knows we are not alone in our efforts to improve the lives of people, and we can count on OUR COMMUNITY! Call 686-0669 for ideas on how you can take part!

We’re proud to support Red Ribbon Week and The Coaliton Promoting a Drug-Free Community Residential • Commercial Remodel • Agricultural PO Box 3140 • Gillette WY 82717

Quality work at affordable prices!

Mick Shober, Owner

(307) 682-3653

GETTING HELP

A

lcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who meet together to help one another attain and maintain sobriety. Members are encouraged to stay away from alcohol, one drink and one day at a time. Members share each other’s experiences to help one another and are encouraged to use the Twelve Steps for aid in their recovery. The only requirement for membership is the desire to quit drinking.

GILLETTE AA MEETINGS SUNDAY 2910 Douglas Highway (non-smoking) ............12:00 p.m. (O) 2910 Douglas Highway ......................................... 5:30 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................ 8:00 p.m. (C) MONDAY 2910 Douglas Highway ...................................... 12:00 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................ 5:30 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway (12 x 12) ......................... 8:00 p.m. (C) 7th & Kendrick (non-smoking)........................... 8:00 p.m. (C) TUESDAY 7th & Kendrick (Women’s group) ....................... 9:00 a.m. (O) 2910 Douglas Highway ...................................... 12:00 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway (12 x 12) ......................... 5:30 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................ 8:00 p.m. (C) WEDNESDAY 2910 Douglas Highway (big book) .................... 12:00 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................5:30 p.m. (O) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................ 8:00 p.m. (C) THURSDAY 2910 Douglas Highway ...................................... 12:00 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway (big book) ...................... 5:30 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................8:00 p.m. (O) 7th & Kendrick (non-smoking)........................... 8:00 p.m. (O) Young, Sober & Free 7th & Kendrick .....................................................8:00 p.m. (O) FRIDAY 7th & Kendrick (Women’s meeting) ................... 9:00 a.m. (O) 2910 Douglas Highway (non-smoking) ........... 12:00 p.m. (O) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................5:30 p.m. (O) 2910 Douglas Highway (big book) ...................... 8:00 p.m. (C) SATURDAY 2910 Douglas Highway ....................................... 12:00 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway ........................................ 5:30 p.m. (C) 2910 Douglas Highway (Speaker’s meeting) .....8:00 p.m. (O) (O) Open Meeting • (C) Closed Meeting

A proud supporter for a DRUG FREE COMMUNITY!

Thunder Basin Ford, LLC Gillette, WY 1-800-552-6785 307-682-4735

Red Ribbon Week

Page 21

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS Narcotics anonymous is a fellowship of addicts who are trying to either become clean or maintain their sobriety. It is open to all drug addicts, regardless of what drug(s) they use. There are no restrictions on membership. NA provides a recovery process and support network for its members who share their struggles and apply the principles of the Twelve Steps which is the core of the program. Principles included in these steps are: admitting there is a problem, seeking help, engaging in self-examination, self disclosure, making amends for harm done, and helping others who want to recover.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS (Serenity Seekers Group) Location: 115 Rohan (Basement of the Community Services Building next to the Way Station) Monday 7:00 p.m. Closed Friday 7:00 p.m. Open

Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Open Saturday (Literature study) 7:00 p.m. Closed

LOCAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROVIDERS Behavioral Health Services 501 S. Burma Ave. .........685-7888

Personal Frontiers 310 S. Miller Ave. ...........686-1189

Transitions 400 S. Kendrick .............682-8617

Big Horn Counseling 201 W. Lakeway ............686-6660

AREA IN-PATIENT TREATMENT CENTERS WYSTAR Sheridan ................ 307-672-2044

New Directions Casper........................ 307-237-6033

Rosen Recovery Rock Springs ......... 307-352-6677

Wyoming Recovery Casper........................ 307-265-3791

Wyoming Behavioral Institute Casper........................ 800-457-9312

Cedar Mountain Center Cody........................... 307-578-2421

New Horizons Casper........................ 307-237-7077

SE Wyoming Mental Health Cheyenne .................. 307-632-6433

Powder River Coal supports a Drug–Free Community

Page 22

Red Ribbon Week

DRUG-ENDANGERED CHILDREN Drug Endangered Children Criminal Cases

by Jeani L. Stone, Campbell County & Prosecuting Attorney

The

Law I

n July, 2004, the Drug Endangered Child Criminal Statute Section 6-4-405 was enacted. The statute reads as follows: (a) Notwithstanding W.S. 64-406(b)(iv), no person shall knowingly and willfully cause or permit any child to: (i) Absorb, inhale or otherwise ingest any amount of methamphetamine; (ii) Remain in a room, dwelling or vehicle where the person knows methamphetamine is being manufactured or sold; or (iii) Enter and remain in a room, dwelling or vehicle that the person knows is being used to manufacture or store methamphetamine, or the hazardous waste created by the manufacture of methamphetamine. (b) No person having the care or custody of a child shall knowingly and willfully permit the child to remain in a room, dwelling or vehicle where that person knows that methamphetamine is possessed, stored or ingested. (c) Any person who violates any of the provisions of subsections (a) or (b) of this section is guilty of endangering a child punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both

Wyoming State Legislature http://legisweb.state.wy.us/

Since the law’s inception in July, 2004 through September 8, 2005, 26 individuals have been charged in Campbell County with endangering children under statute 6-4-405.

Those individuals include the following: ■ Amy Engdahl- Engdahl charged for permitting a child to remain in a room with methamphetamine.

Engdahl pled guilty on May 2, 2005 and was sentenced to four years of probation and required to successfully complete the Adult Drug Court Program.

■ Harold Virden-Harold Virden charged for permitting a child to remain in a room with methamphetamine. Virden’s charge was amended to misdemeanor child endangering for agreeing to cooperate in the prosecution of other cases.

■ Mary Virden-Mary Virden charged for permitting a child to remain in a room with methamphetamine.

Virden’s charge was amended to misdemeanor child endangering for agreeing to cooperate in the prosecution of other cases.

■ Jason Johner–Johner charged stemming from facts where it is alleged that he had a child in a vehicle where he knew methamphetamine was being stored. Johner was granted a furlough to the WYSTAR treatment facility in Sheridan. Johner pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

■ Charla Williams–Charged for allowing children to remain in a room where she knew methamphetamine was being possessed, stored or ingested. Bound over to District Court and awaiting a trial setting.

■ Jennifer Vandom–Jennifer Vandom was charged stemming from allegations that the Defendant allowed children to remain in a dwelling where she knew methamphetamine was being ingested.

The Defendant pled guilty and she was placed on probation for a period of five years and ordered to successfully complete the Adult Drug Court Program.

■ Rodney Vandom–Rodney Vandom was charged stemming from allegations that the Defendant

allowed children to remain in a dwelling where he knew methamphetamine was being ingested. The Defendant pled not guilty and awaiting trial.

■ Luerie Marquard–Marquard was charged for having methamphetamine in the residence with a child. Marquard pled guilty and was placed on four years of supervised probation. A condition of Marquard’s sentence is that she successfully complete the Adult Drug Court Program.

■ Michelle Schirmer–Schirmer was charged after she admitted to having methamphetamine in a residence with children. Schirmer pled guilty and was subsequently ordered to inpatient treatment and will participate in the Adult Drug Court.

■ Anselmo Chavira–Chavira was charged based on the allegation that he allowed children to be in a residence where methamphetamine was being stored. Case was dismissed.

■ Leanne Towry–Towry was charged with Child Endangering and Possession of a Controlled Substance after the vehicle she was riding in was stopped by Troopers with the Wyoming Highway Patrol who found a loaded syringe with methamphetamine, several glass pipes and unused syringes. There were two children in the vehicle, with one of the children holding a glass pipe in its hands. Towry pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

■ Mandi Humphrey–Humphrey was charged with Child Endangerment and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Humphrey was indicted on federal drug trafficking charges, and the charges dismissed in Campbell County so that she could be taken on the federal charges.

■ Dennis Kosmicki–Kosmicki was charged with Child Endangering and Possession of a Controlled Substance after the vehicle he was riding in was stopped by Troopers with the Wyoming Highway Patrol who found a loaded syringe with methamphetamine, several glass pipes and unused syringes. There were two children in the vehicle, with one of the children holding a glass pipe in its hands. Kosmicki pled guilty to Child Endangering and the State dismissed the Possession of a Controlled Substance. Kosmicki’s bond was revoked and he is awaiting sentencing.

Continued on page 23

DRUG-ENDANGERED CHILDREN Continued from page 22

■ Brian Pring–Pring was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Concealing Stolen Property and Aiding and Abetting Child Endangerment.

Pring has agreed to plead guilty to Child Endangerment and Possession and is awaiting sentencing. Additional charges are pending in Johnson County.

■ Jennifer Osseiran–Jennifer Osseiran was charged with Concealing Stolen Property and Child Endangerment. She pled guilty to Child Endangerment and the State dismissed the Concealing Stolen Property charge and is awaiting sentencing. Additional charges are pending in Johnson County.

■ Fady Osseiran–Fady Osserian was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver, Concealing Stolen Property and Child Endangerment. The Defendant pled to an amended charge of Possession of Controlled Substance and Child Endangerment and was sentenced to 2-5 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

■ Holly Hatch–Hatch is charged with two counts of Possession with Intent to Deliver and Child Endangerment. The case has been bound over to District Court and a jury trial is pending.

■ Lisa Tabor–Tabor was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver and Child Endangerment. She was Indicted on federal drug trafficking charges, and charges were dismissed in Campbell County so that she could be taken on the federal charges.

■ Charles Hubbard–Hubbard was charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver and Child Endangerment. He was indicted on federal drug trafficking charges, and charges were dismissed in Campbell County so that he could be taken on the federal charges.

■ Donald Jossen–Jossen is charged based on the allegation that he allowed children to remain in a dwelling where methamphetamine was being stored. Jossens pled to a charge of Child Endangerment and was placed on one year of probation.

■ Tracy Boone–Boone was charged with Child Endangerment and Possession with Intent to Deliver based on allegations she allowed children to remain in a dwelling where methamphetamine was being stored. After consultation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Boone has been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges and her State charges dismissed.

■ Jocelyn Caughie - Charged with Child Endangerment for allowing a child in a dwelling

Red Ribbon Week

Page 23

with methamphetamine. Awaiting Preliminary Hearing.

child in a dwelling where methamphetamine was being stored. Bound over to District Court.

■ Ralph Caughie-Charged with Child Endangerment for allowing a child in a dwelling with methamphetamine. Bound over to District Court.

Several of the investigations above have led to federal indictments and prosecutions.

Several of the defendants have undertaken the Adult Drug Court Program, which is an intensive court-sponsored program that combines sanctions and treatment. In-patient treatment and outpatient programs are utilized and participants are tested for use on a regular basis. They are on an Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) with the Wyoming Department of Corrections, Division of Field Services.

Concurrent criminal drug endangered children cases and neglect petitions have been utilized by the County Attorney’s Office in many of these cases to ensure justice and protect children. Neglect proceedings provide for the removal of children and require regular urinalysis screens, counseling, and participation in parenting classes, among other conditions. As of September 15, 2005, the number of neglect cases filed by the County Attorney’s Office exceeds 50, which is two times greater the number of neglects for the entire year of 2004. A majority of the cases involve methamphetamine use by parents.

■ Ted Allen- Charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Child Endangerment for allowing a child in a vehicle where methamphetamine was stored, and Delivery of a Controlled Substance. A preliminary hearing is pending.

■ Janette Sorenson- Charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Child Endangerment for allowing a child in a vehicle where methamphetamine was stored. A preliminary hearing is pending.

■ Danielle Poole- Charged with Child Endangerment for permitting a child in a dwelling where methamphetamine was being stored. Bound over to District Court.

■ Bryan Theroux- Charged with Aiding and Abetting a Child Endangerment for permitting a

Campbell County Juvenile and Family Drug Court Your Community Members (Juvenile Probation Ofce, Public Defender Ofce, District Court, County Attorney Ofce, Department of Family Services, School District, Personal Frontiers, Inc, Local Attorneys, and YES House) working together to: Increase Family Functioning: • Providing Family Therapy • Building Stronger Families • Reunifying Families Improve School Performance; • Raising grades • Increasing attendance • Obtaining High School diplomas

Reduce Criminal Behavior: • Decreasing arrests Decrease alcohol & substance use: • Providing individualized substance abuse treatment • Providing group therapy treatment

JFDC provides the steps to success, a continuum of care, and the ability to become substance free while remaining in the community.

JFDC Coordinator, Susan Cahill Juvenile Probation Ofce • (307) 682-0746

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

When you believe you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this...

You haven’t

Page 24

FROM SOMEONE WHO LOVED CASSIE

Red Ribbon Week

FROM SOMEONE WHO LOVED CASSIE A Special Presentation on Methamphetamine and Children by Guest Speaker Mary Haydal On Nov. 4, 2000, Cassie Haydal was on the high school honor roll, coached basketball, and attended church. To Mary Haydal of Miles City, Montana, Cassie was the perfect daughter.

That day, Mary Haydal found out Cassie was addicted to methamphetamine. Cassie had a severe meth induced heart attack that left her in a coma. Ten days later, she was removed from life support.

Hear the emotional story of how methamphetamine took the life of Cassie Haydal, from someone who loved Cassie.

RED RIBBON WEEK

PARENT AND PUBLIC PRESENTATION Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 6:30-8:30 p.m.

SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS TUESDAY, OCT. 25 Sage Valley Jr. High School 9.15 a.m.

Twin Spruce Jr. High School 1:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 26 Campbell Co. High School (South Campus) - 9:00 a.m.

Campbell Co. High School (North Campus) -12:00 p.m.

Campbell County. High School North Campus Gymnasium

The Coalition Promoting a Drug-Free Community would like to thank everyone who helped make Red Ribbon Week possible: We would especially like to thank the Campbell County School District and all of its principals and other staff who are cooperating and assisting with Mary Haydal’s presentations.

Thank you!

■ New Life Weslyan Ladies ■ Employment Testing Services ■ Powder River Heating & Air

Conditioning

■ Basic Energy Services ■ Powder River Dental

Associates

■ Safety Consultants ■ L&H Industrial ■ Edeneld Jewelers ■ Campbell Co. School District ■ Personal Frontiers ■ Sir Speedy ■ Wyoming Behavioral Institute ■ Occupational Testing ■ Medicap Pharmacy

■ Community

Coalition Against Underage Drinking ■ Heritage Christian School ■ Powder River Coal ■ Thunder Basin Ford ■ Campbell Co. Juvenile & Family Drug Court ■ Urgent Care of Gillette ■ Gillette Police Department ■ Campbell Co. Sheriff’s Ofce ■ Campbell Co. Attorney’s Ofce ■ Wyoming Dept. of Corrections ■ Shober Builders ■ Peregrine Leadership Institute ■ The News-Record

■ CCHS SWAT Team ■ Contractors Supply, Inc. ■ Campbell Co. Adult Drug

Court

■ Women’s Healthcare ■ Kenna Rose ■ Basin Radio Network ■ Powder River Orthopedics

Spine ■ M&K Oil

www.drugfreegillette.org

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