 |
|
|
Director's Message
December 10, 2004
To: DHS Employees
From: Gary Weeks, Director
Grappling with a pervasive drug
You may think methamphetamine use and its impact on Oregonians is a problem only of hard-core drug users or long-time addicts. The truth is this pervasive drug is affecting more and more young people in this state every day - from those junior high and high school students who are trying it themselves to those whose lives have been devastated by its effect on their families.
Consider the following statistics:
- Meth use is the biggest drug problem facing Oregon child welfare today. In 2002, 109 kids were removed from homes with meth labs; 42 percent of them were ages 6 or younger.
- About 50 percent of the kids taken out of meth labs test positive for meth themselves. They are especially vulnerable because - being shorter or crawling - they're at a level where the chemical collects in the air.
- Worldwide, more people are addicted to meth than to cocaine and heroine combined. And the numbers of young girls ages 17 and under using meth has increased 57% in the past five years.
Facts like these show that no longer is meth considered an "adult problem." Its use is pervasive and hurts many of the children and adults we serve.
Meth lab seizures
Nationally, the number of meth lab seizures has more than quadrupled over the past decade. Almost 600 meth labs were seized in this state alone in 2001. Oregon had the 5th highest number of meth lab seizures in the country in that year.
The Governor has responded to this crisis by taking measures to make the ingredients for making meth more difficult to obtain. The Pharmacy Board has recently placed restrictions on the purchase of sudafed, ephedrine, and related ingredients, asking Oregonians to show identification before purchasing these remedies.
Making it a little more difficult to obtain these chemicals is well worth it if the result means making it harder for meth users to buy in bulk and stock their meth production labs around the state.
Challenges to our staff
The meth phenomenon in Oregon presents growing challenges for DHS staff. Federal Drug Enforcement Administration researchers see meth as the "drug of choice in Oregon" - in spite of past efforts to educate and prevent its use.
The issue crosses many clusters in our department. For example, child welfare workers are grappling with increasing numbers of children in the system due to parents using meth; those in mental health and addiction services see growing impacts from users - young and old; and public health staff are involved in meth lab clean-ups statewide.
At the same time, resources to deal with addiction and related problems are being stretched thin, as the state has faced cutbacks in these areas over the past few years.
All of us need to be aware of the consequences of meth use and especially its impact on children - including their ability to get through school, relate to their families, or be able to stay in their homes. You can find more information on the DHS Web site.
We can all help educate others about this pervasive drug and its effects. Your efforts could help prevent another child from becoming a meth statistic.
Helping those with another kind of addiction
Oregonians entering treatment for problem gambling during the past biennium increased by 44 percent, underscoring the need for maintaining and continuing effective treatment services. DHS, with its prevention partners, operates treatment programs in the state and an Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline - 1-877-2-STOP NOW.
The Governor recently made a very difficult choice to propose adding more games to the state's lottery system in the next biennium, providing additional revenue to help balance the state's budget.
However, an important feature of the Governor's Recommended Budget is his commitment to fund services for those struggling with gambling problems, through 1% of lottery revenues.
With the support of the Governor and the legislature, DHS will continue an aggressive program to provide treatment to those with gambling problems.
Food for thought
"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
American writer
|
This message is intended for all Department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.
If you have a disability and need a document on this Web site to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us or call (503) 945-7021, fax (503) 373-7690 or TTY (503) 947-5080. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available.
Oregon Department of Human Services
Director's Office
500 Summer St. NE E15, Salem, OR 97301-1097
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-6214
|
|
|
