Dozens turned out Friday, for a summit on the war on meth. Residents learned how they can step up to help others battling addiction.
The seminar was put on by the Substance Abuse Council of Vanderburgh County.
Their mission: to prevent and reduce alcohol and drug abuse, and other addictive behaviors among kids and adults.
"The people who come to this hopefully what they'll find out is it's not just one group's problem. It's everybody's problem," explained Terry Stinson with the River Valley Behavioral Health Regional Prevention Center.
It's a problem that's not going away. Meth busts and arrests throughout the tri-state, from suspected dealers to users committing crimes and hurting the community around them.
"We don't have a magic bullet. I wish we did, but we don't," said Stinson. "Is methamphetamine ever going to go away? No. It's never going to go away just like any other problem that's here to stay. However you can get a handle on it."
That message was the focus of the Ice That Burns seminar Friday in Evansville.
Drug counselors, teachers, and some recovering addicts learned how they can get involved in the fight against meth.
"This training is different in that it explains what we can do as a community," said Executive Director of the Substance Abuse Council of Vanderburgh County Laura Hatfield. "Being more aware and understanding that they have the power to go with others to make a difference.
The all-day program included lessons on how meth is made, the dangers to children, and community strategies.
Tools organizers say everyone can use to show how communities can fight back...
"We can never stop the problem entirely but we can slow it down and we can put up barriers to make a difference," Stinson said.
The council says continuing education is the key to slowing the trend. Vanderburgh County continues to lead the state in meth related offenses.
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