We’re making progress protecting communities, Kulongoski said.
(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski has announced the renewal of his Meth Task Force and pledged to build on the state’s success in fighting the deadly drug.
"We’re making progress against meth by restricting supply, cutting demand and giving communities the tools they need to fight this epidemic at the neighborhood level," the Governor said. " I’m renewing the Meth Task Force so that that we can work together and build on our success. There’s still more to be done."
Last year, the Governor worked with a bi-partisan coalition of legislators to pass the nation’s toughest meth law, resulting in a 77-percent reduction in the number of the meth labs in Oregon. The law also limited the availability of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Last month, the Meth Task Force made an anti-meth ‘toolkit’ available for communities to use in the fight against the dangerous drug. The ‘toolkit’ contains information about community resources and programs for treatment and prevention and a list of prevention experts in each county. It also includes a "Community Action Guide" and a PowerPoint slide library that allows users to customize presentations and help build coalitions in the community to fight meth.
Last month, the Governor also announced his support to expand 24/7 patrol coverage by the Oregon State Police on roads and highways—a strategy to help interdict the flow of meth into the state from super labs outside Oregon.
"Oregon is serious about beating this meth epidemic, and the Meth Task Force is already delivering results," the Governor said. "I appreciate their hard work, and I look forward to our continued partnership in this fight for safer communities."
The thirty-six Meth Task Force members are:Rob Bovett - Lincoln County CourthouseSteve Briggs - Oregon Department of JusticeSheriff Chris Brown - Douglas CountyPaul Burgett - Coos County CourthouseKevin Campbell - Oregon Association of Chiefs of PoliceDr. Carol Chervenak - ABC HouseAnn Christian - OCDLA Substantive LobbyistDiana Corder - Community Development Manager, Pacific PowerNancy Cozine - Oregon Judicial Department Lt. Mike Dingemann - Oregon State PoliceJohn Deits - US DOJ/Unites States AttorneyKaleen Deatherage - Oregon PartnershipBill Etter - US DOJ/DEACarla George - Relief Nursery, Inc.Dr. Bruce Goldberg - Department of Human ServicesDave Guardino - Oregon Department of EducationGrant Higginson - DHS/Health ServicesKaren Immergut - US DOJ/Unites States AttorneyJudge Darryl Larson - Lane County CourthouseCaptain Ed Mouery - Oregon State PoliceJoe O’Leary - Senior Policy AdvisorChris O'Neal - Wook Drug Free/ONFAnna Peterson - Criminal Justice CommissionDiane Pohl - Mayor, ClatskanieSenator Floyd Prozanski - Oregon State CapitolMike Schmidt - Bend Chamber of CommerceGary Schnabel - Oregon Board of PharmaciesRepresentative Patti Smith Dr. Rita Sullivan - ON Track, Inc.Dr. Art Tolan - Oregon Department of CorrectionsRick Trealeaven - Best Care Treatment ServicesSheriff John Trumbo - Umatilla County Sheriffs OfficeThom Van Arsdale - Baker County Community CorrectionsKaren Wheeler - Mental Health and Addiction ServicesMax Williams - Oregon Department of CorrectionsJay Wurscher - Children, Adults & Families
"These volunteers are working to make Oregon communities safer, and I am deeply appreciative of their dedication to fighting this epidemic," the Governor said.
Governor Renews Successful Meth Task ForceSalem-News.com