Meth conference focuses on alcohol, prescriptions

by Carol Crump
Monday, January 5, 2009 1:02 PM MST

In the last six months of 2004, Casper Police Chief Tom Pagel told the community that he believed 80 percent of Casper's crime had a direct connection to methamphetamine.

The next spring, a comprehensive study funded by the Tate Foundation showed that 44 percent of all police cases, 70 percent of auto burglaries and 44 percent of family violence incidents were linked to meth.

After six years of beating the drum, the average citizen now is comfortable with understanding the problem, said Crime Prevention Officer Pete Abrams.

Crime statistics are down, with 30 percent fewer burglaries. There are fewer meth labs and drug seizures at the border are half of what they were a year ago.

The new residential treatment center at the Central Wyoming Counseling Center is full, with men, women and families seeking help for their addiction.

"You can never declare victory on meth, but we've seen progress," Abrams said.

The sixth Annual Wyoming Statewide Methamphetamine and Substance Abuse Conference on Jan. 7-8 is an opportunity to continue the community's attack on methamphetamine. This year, the focus also will broaden to include alcohol and pharmaceutical drug abuse.

The annual Meth Conference, the only such event in Wyoming, has evolved into a regional event that provides an opportunity for law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals, educators and the public to meet under one roof.

Local, national and international experts and speakers provide networking opportunities, updated information and discussions of national trends.

The conference, which sprang from the Meth Initiative, also tries to attract those who need it most, with a cost of $100 for two days of presentations, meals and a gift bag of information, Abrams said.

Continuing education and professional credits also are available.

"Every culture has some means of escaping chemically," Abrams said. "For us, it's alcohol."

There's an instilled tolerance for a substance that is legal and regulated, but problems like domestic violence, violent crime and drunken driving all are related to alcohol abuse, the veteran police officer said.

The newest challenge is pharmaceutical abuse with prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The conference will include speakers to help the community become better aware of the rise in the number of people who are addicted to drugs that would be beneficial if used as prescribed.

For some high schoolers and college students, a social gathering can include a big bowl of prescription and over-the-counter drugs thrown together in a help-yourself-to-a-fistful bowl.

The best source of drugs like Vicodin, Hydrocodone and cold remedies for what are called "Skittles" or "Pharma" parties could be a parent's medicine cabinet.

As part of the Meth Initiative, Abrams and WMC pharmacist Patty Nelson were instrumental in two community prescription roundups that were designed to get unused medications out of medicine cabinets and the waste stream.

The effort, which will continue annually, gathered 672 pounds of over-the-counter and prescription medicines and controlled substances.

For all ages, stolen prescription pads, altered prescriptions or doctor shopping to find a willing supplier can mean access to drugs to abuse or sell for their street value.

According to Abrams, Casper law enforcement has seen some "manufactured" burglaries, where nothing in a locked house is missing except the contents of the medicine cabinet.

"If only the Oxycontin is gone, either they took it all or sold it," he said.

The Sixth Annual Wyoming Methamphetamine and Substance Abuse Conference will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Jan.7 and 8, at the Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Centre.

Registration is required to attend the entire conference. A free public session titled "Wyoming Speaks Out: Recovered Addicts and Family Impact Panel" will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.

A complete conference schedule and list of conference speakers are available on the City of Casper Web site www.casperwy.gov. For information, call 235-8225.

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