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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeth Advisory Committee 08-14-06 NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA ST. CROIX COUNTY METH ADVISORY COMMITTEE August 14, 2006 — 3:00 P.M. ST. CROIX COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER — ROOM 1281 1101 CARMICHAEL ROAD, HUDSON WI 54016 CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING DATE OF NEXT MEETING OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Revisiting Goals and Strategies 2. Drug Court 3. Sign Placement 4. Survey Update 5. Upcoming Events 6. Dates and Time of Future Meetings ADJOURN (Items may be taken in different order) ** Additions /Changes /Corrections Items for County Board approval must be submitted to the County Clerk's office by Wednesday morning preceding a County Board meeting. 8/7/2006 12:52 PM St. Croix County Meth Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, August 14, 2006 Chairman Esther Wentz called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Verbal roll call was taken. Members present: Esther Wentz, Steve Kirt, Denise Gunderson, Tom Caflisch, Dennis Hillstead, Dave McQuillen, Geralyn Karl, Katie Deatherage Guest: Joan Sprain Absent: Doreen Rivard, Linda Robertson, Eric Johnson Adoptions of Agenda — There were motions to approve the agenda and the motions were carried. "Correction to July 24, 2006 Minutes — Under Old and New Business, 1. Drug Court Update... "Dennis said Judge Vlack would like to start a Drunk Court ....... was corrected to... "Dennis said Judge Lundell would like to start a Drunk Court". Approval of July 24, 2006 Minutes as amended above— Tom made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Denise seconded the motion. Motion carried. Next Meeting: Thursday, September 28, 2006 @ 3:00 p.m. in Room 1281, St. Croix County Government Center OLD AND NEW BUSINESS 1. Goals and Strategies: Esther emphasized the high level of interest noted by St. Croix County employees in obtaining more information about meth from the initial assessment of the survey distributed. It was obvious from the data collected that several people are interested in just about any type of meeting that could be offered regarding education of methamphetamine - whether it be a speaker forum/open house setting or Brown bag lunch session. Esther stated the Brown bag lunch type of meeting was a popular idea brought up throughout the completed surveys. Denise inquired as to what type of material should be covered at these potential educational meetings for St. Croix employees — basic information regarding methamphetamine or more specific information, such as where to get help for meth - addicted individuals. She stated that she foresees two groups of people to be accommodated by these informational meetings: (1) one group who will be seeking basic meth info and (2) another group who would be seeking information on where to get help or send a loved one to get help. She stated there is a lack of information to the general public of where to obtain help /rehabilitation for meth - addicted individuals needing such services. Steve noted that when determining what material to include in these educational meetings, we should look at what prompted the need for our committee in the first place and the initial problems faced by our county. We could set up a meeting to cover the general i information (i.e. Sheriff Hillstead could discuss the meth problem from his perspective as much has changed since our committee was formed) - and during this overview of the current situation — it may prompt such questions posed by Denise by persons attending. He also stated that a video could be set up (as was brought up by a couple members of the committee) — however we would need to be careful to consider the time allotted for the meeting, especially if the meeting is designed to be given over the lunch hour, as this usually would only be 30 -45 minutes. He mentioned that the interest in doing the meeting over the lunch hour or during work time is favorable so people can get the information without taking time away from their family. He proposed another option may be that a brown bag lunch meeting could be given during the day, but then we could also invite them to a larger forum in the evening, similar to the forum sessions some of the area schools have given. Geralyn noted that the majority of surveys had "yes" chosen in the question regarding if the person knew of meth impacting someone close to them. Also, she reiterated what Esther stated that the Brown bag lunch session was probably desired by about 2/3 of the surveyed population. Geralyn then suggested that we may need a series of Brown bag lunch sessions. She emphasized that we would like people to learn as much as possible about meth without overwhelming them with too much information crammed into just one meeting. She also Esther stated that we should set a goal to take one meeting to analyze the data from the surveys. She also stated that we should probably wait to implement any information brown bag sessions /meetings until the budgets are completed. She then showed the group a document entitled "Methamphetamine Cases by County of Offense" that was sent to St. Croix County Board members by Eric Johnson, District Attorney at the end of July. This document was prepared by the WI State Crime Lab. It displayed each county of Wisconsin outlining the number of meth cases in 2004, 2005, and 2006 so far. For St. Croix County, the number of cases for each prospective year was recorded as 80/84/64. Esther also mentioned that according to NACO, it stated that 1 of 2 prisoners nationally were imprisoned due to a meth - related crime. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead stated that when our committee was formed in 2005, the St. Croix County jail had approximately 65% individuals incarcerated due to a meth - related crime. He stated that during 2006, many of the home meth labs have dried up due to the new pseudoephedrine restriction laws, and they have seen an overall drop in meth crimes. Instead of meth lab busts, our county is still seeing a significant abuse problem with meth imported from Mexico. He also stated that our county is beginning to see more cocaine problems in addition to meth. However, he emphasized that it is too early to draw any conclusions about the drop in meth cases at this time. We may be in some sort of transition phase, but we do not have any answers at this time. 2. Drug Court: Esther mentioned that Matt Frank from the State Department of Corrections (DOC) would like to meet Drug Court members and possibly members from the St. Croix County Meth Advisory Committee. Dave McQuillen stated that Drug Court is still in need of more money /funds as there are several more candidates eligible to participate but not enough in the budget to accommodate them at this time. Drug Court is also still in need of a coordinator position, and we can't really do much more at this time until that position is filled. He also stated that having the Board of Supervisors interest in this is vital. i information (i.e. Sheriff Hillstead could discuss the meth problem from his perspective as much has changed since our committee was formed) - and during this overview of the current situation — it may prompt such questions posed by Denise by persons attending. He also stated that a video could be set up (as was brought up by a couple members of the committee) — however we would need to be careful to consider the time allotted for the meeting, especially if the meeting is designed to be given over the lunch hour, as this usually would only be 30 -45 minutes. He mentioned that the interest in doing the meeting over the lunch hour or during work time is favorable so people can get the information without taking time away from their family. He proposed another option may be that a brown bag lunch meeting could be given during the day, but then we could also invite them to a larger forum in the evening, similar to the forum sessions some of the area schools have given. Geralyn noted that the majority of surveys had "yes" chosen in the question regarding if the person knew of meth impacting someone close to them. Also, she reiterated what Esther stated that the Brown bag lunch session was probably desired by about 2/3 of the surveyed population. Geralyn then suggested that we may need a series of Brown bag lunch sessions. She emphasized that we would like people to learn as much as possible about meth without overwhelming them with too much information crammed into just one meeting. She also Esther stated that we should set a goal to take one meeting to analyze the data from the surveys. She also stated that we should probably wait to implement any information brown bag sessions /meetings until the budgets are completed. She then showed the group a document entitled "Methamphetamine Cases by County of Offense" that was sent to St. Croix County Board members by Eric Johnson, District Attorney at the end of July. This document was prepared by the WI State Crime Lab. It displayed each county of Wisconsin outlining the number of meth cases in 2004, 2005, and 2006 so far. For St. Croix County, the number of cases for each prospective year was recorded as 80/84/64. Esther also mentioned that according to NACO, it stated that 1 of 2 prisoners nationally were imprisoned due to a meth - related crime. Sheriff Dennis Hillstead stated that when our committee was formed in 2005, the St. Croix County jail had approximately 65% individuals incarcerated due to a meth - related crime. He stated that during 2006, many of the home meth labs have dried up due to the new pseudoephedrine restriction laws, and they have seen an overall drop in meth crimes. Instead of meth lab busts, our county is still seeing a significant abuse problem with meth imported from Mexico. He also stated that our county is beginning to see more cocaine problems in addition to meth. However, he emphasized that it is too early to draw any conclusions about the drop in meth cases at this time. We may be in some sort of transition phase, but we do not have any answers at this time. 2. Drug Court: Esther mentioned that Matt Frank from the State Department of Corrections (DOC) would like to meet Drug Court members and possibly members from the St. Croix County Meth Advisory Committee. Dave McQuillen stated that Drug Court is still in need of more money /funds as there are several more candidates eligible to participate but not enough in the budget to accommodate them at this time. Drug Court is also still in need of a coordinator position, and we can't really do much more at this time until that position is filled. He also stated that having the Board of Supervisors interest in this is vital. r Steve stated we are using an exclusive model for Drug Court in St. Croix County that is not being used anywhere else in the state. He mentioned that Mike O'Keefe is satisfied with the model our county is using and that Mike stated he is looking into obtaining $50,000 for Drug Court. 3. Sign Placement: Esther talked to Steve Lewis and mentioned that we have 2 locations for sign placement almost confirmed, and the owner of the third location should be contacted soon before the ground freezes. Signs are made and ready to be put up. It is now a matter of technicalities and malting sure we go through the correct process to have them put up. Denise stated that she knows a person willing for sign placement, but we need to get a hold of Doreen first. We also need to call the gas /light /energy companies for these locations before digging as to avoid any issues with hitting power lines or pipes. 4. Survey Update: Esther stated that we will be distributing one more set of surveys at the St. Croix County Transportation picnic soon, and this may allow us to collect data from people who may have been missed from date of the initial survey. Geralyn mentioned that Annette from the IT Department is extremely proficient in analyzing survey data and placing the information into graphs and asked Esther if she could obtain a blank copy of the survey to show Annette. Esther stated she will get her a copy. Geralyn will be contacting Annette to analyze the data for our committee. Sheriff Hillstead stated he will be speaking during the afternoon session at the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) in mid - September, and he will primarily be showing the audience what our committee and other community groups are doing to combat the meth problem in St. Croix County. Geralyn suggested that he should bring a copy of the survey to show what was distributed and what may come of it as a result — (i.e. brown bag lunch meetings, etc.). She also stated that if the survey data was analyzed and prepared soon, he could also bring along the results. Esther suggested that he should bring 150 to 200 copies of the brochure our committee created. Esther stated she would have black and white copies made for him to bring along and distribute. Geralyn also suggested that he bring copies of MADAM's Newsletter to distribute. Denise said she would talk to Doreen about obtaining or making copies of the latest newsletter, however MADAM's budget is running low at this time. Esther lastly suggested that he should bring copies of the document "Methamphetamine Cases by County of Offense" prepared by the WI State Crime Lab. Sheriff Hillstead was planning on taking that along. 5. Upcoming Events: Several committee members listed off dates of upcoming parades /festivals in area towns in which the MADAM booth could be set up. Denise stated that Oxcart Days in Star Prairie is coming up this weekend on August 18 and 19. Sheriff Hillstead noted Rustic Lore Days in Glenwood City will be September 8, 9, 10. Esther stated that the Heritage Festival in New Richmond is during the last weekend in September. Geralyn mentioned that Red Ribbon Week (Drug Awareness) is the third week of October and that the schools may be looking for information to present such as the MADAM Booth could provide. Katie suggested finding out dates for football homecoming games for each school, but Denise stated it can be difficult to get permission to do so. Denise mentioned that New Richmond and Somerset may invite the idea. Geralyn asked the committee if school nurses were involved in the meth issue or educated on the problem. She suggested that we could look into the education of school nurses regarding the current meth problems as being a fall agenda item during future meetings of this committee. Esther mentioned to Geralyn that our committee invited each school's Student Liaison earlier this year— and that basically they did not want any more meth education, but they were looking to our committee to possibly put together a county -wide policy /procedure document regarding how to deal with meth issues in the schools. Each of the liaisons was going to send us different drug policies in place. However, we have received no contact from anyone who attended that meeting since. Steve mentioned that Bridget Anderson (AODA counselor) in New Richmond who attended the Student Liaison meeting with our committee was having her position cut due to CESA grant money running out. Geralyn stated that she was involved in rewriting meth policy /procedures for the River Falls School District through the River Falls Partnership for Youth, after this group met with school district administrators and looked at several youth - servicing organizations' drug policies. Tom inquired about follow -up times with the contacts of those organizations who received a bundle of our committee brochures on meth. Esther mentioned that we are planning on setting a time to contact them after school has started, as several schools received brochures during this summer but probably minimal movement of the brochures occurred when school was not in session. Adjourned at 4:01 p.m. Respectfully Submitted Katie A. Deatherage