Rural Methamphetamine Education Project
Status Report

Public Awareness
The Rural Methamphetamine Education Project (RMEP) community presentation covers a number of different areas related to methamphetamine including the history of methamphetamine, what methamphetamine is, who is using, effects and signs of use, types of abusers, stages of abuse, production, ingredients, signs of a lab, and the impact methamphetamine is having on society.

• February 1, 2004, to January 31, 2005, the project made over 209 methamphetamine awareness presentations to approximately 11,000 citizens.
• February 1, 2005, to March 28, 2005, the project made 30 methamphetamine awareness presentations to over 5,700 citizens.
• The RMEP team developed specialized presentations specifically designed to address the needs of children and adolescents. The team speaks to groups of children as young as first grade.
• The RMEP team developed a methamphetamine documentary that presents the story of methamphetamine in North Dakota from the perspective of a cook, an addict, a victim, and the general public.

Mentor Communities
With a goal of using community based strategies to empower communities and combat methamphetamine more effectively, the RMEP has been working to establish “mentor communities” throughout the state.

• Five North Dakota communities have been identified, including the communities of Devils Lake, Dickinson, Hazen/Beulah, Minot, and Williston/Watford City.
• These communities benefit from resources available through the RMEP including presentations, literature, and representation on community safety coalitions.
  • Devils Lake - Since its inception, the community has become more aware of methamphetamine as an issue and is currently very interested in amplifying community awareness. Efforts are now in progress to raise awareness in the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain areas.
  • Dickinson - The response in Dickinson has been very good; the community is at an increased state of awareness and is actively seeking community solutions along with more effective ways to combat the methamphetamine issue.
  • Hazen/Beulah - The response in Hazen/Beulah has exceeded expectations. Community leaders and members are interested in combating the problem and are actively engaged in discussion at community health task force meetings. Overall, the communities are actively seeking community solutions to the methamphetamine issue.
  • Minot - Mentor community efforts continue in the Minot area. Presentations are being conducted and meetings are attended regularly by RCJC personnel.
  • Watford City/Williston - Community members citing poor turnout at past awareness events and saturation regarding the methamphetamine issue, were initially reluctant to become involved with the project; however, increased lab seizures prompted some community members to become more involved with the RMEP. Several community presentations were successful in attracting community members.

Research
A primary goal of the RCJC is to conduct research on the impact of methamphetamine.

• After learning of the frequency of clandestine laboratories being housed in North Dakota hotels, motels and campgrounds, and becoming aware of the danger that this imparts to the public, the RMEP team designed and distributed a survey to gain more information about this issue.
• The RMEP team designed a survey which will investigate the attitudes, experiences, and training needs of North Dakota law enforcement officers as they pertain to methamphetamine.
• The RMEP training associates are frequently questioned regarding the effectiveness of treatment for methamphetamine. In response to these inquiries, the RMEP team designed and distributed a survey to North Dakota treatment providers to study attitudes, perceptions, treatment needs, and types of treatment being offered.

Future

• The RMEP will continue the education and awareness campaign.
• Information regarding clandestine laboratory seizures, community awareness, and the need for education has prompted the RMEP to consider expansion and the creation of additional mentor communities in the eastern part of the state.
• The RMEP intends to research chemical exposure and environmental impact. Discussions with the Minot State University chemistry department center on the purchase of an ion scanner. This piece of equipment could be used to study methamphetamine levels in homes where labs have been found. Research on this topic is scarce and would be a valuable addition to the bank of knowledge that exists regarding methamphetamine.
• Children are frequent, innocent victims of the methamphetamine epidemic. In the future, the RMEP team is planning to launch an initiative to address drug endangered children in North Dakota.

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