United Communities Against United Communities Against MethMeth

(UCAM)(UCAM)Jessica KingJessica King

Whitney LangwellWhitney Langwell

United Communities Against MethUnited Communities Against Meth(UCAM)(UCAM)

Collaboration with Monmouth/Independence Collaboration with Monmouth/Independence YMCA and Western Oregon University.YMCA and Western Oregon University.

Focuses on prevention and intervention with Focuses on prevention and intervention with meth abuse.meth abuse.

Targets citizens of Polk County Oregon.Targets citizens of Polk County Oregon. Geared towards educating, promoting, and Geared towards educating, promoting, and

preventing the spread of the meth epidemic.preventing the spread of the meth epidemic.

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Highly addictive stimulant.Highly addictive stimulant. Made up of toxic chemicals such as: iodine, Made up of toxic chemicals such as: iodine,

acetone, battery acid, lye, drain cleaner, acetone, battery acid, lye, drain cleaner, sulfuric acid, anti-freeze, pseudoephedrine.sulfuric acid, anti-freeze, pseudoephedrine.

Can be smoked, snorted, injected Can be smoked, snorted, injected intravenously, and taken orally.intravenously, and taken orally.

Slang terms for meth include: crank, chalk, Slang terms for meth include: crank, chalk, crystal, ice, zip, and quartz.crystal, ice, zip, and quartz.

Some of the chemicals used to make Some of the chemicals used to make meth.meth.

Meth cont.Meth cont.

Short term effects: tremors, scabbing, Short term effects: tremors, scabbing, paranoia, irritability, dry mouth, decreased paranoia, irritability, dry mouth, decreased appetite, insomnia, convulsions.appetite, insomnia, convulsions.

Long term effects: brain damage, lung Long term effects: brain damage, lung damage, kidney damage, psychosis, damage, kidney damage, psychosis, depression, sores, and rotten teeth.depression, sores, and rotten teeth.

Faces of MethFaces of Meth

Demographics of Polk CountyDemographics of Polk County

Population was 75,265 in 2007Population was 75,265 in 2007 51.6% female, 48.4% male51.6% female, 48.4% male Residents 25 years and older with a high school Residents 25 years and older with a high school

diploma is 85.5%.diploma is 85.5%. Residents 25 years and older with a bachelor’s Residents 25 years and older with a bachelor’s

degree is 25.3%.degree is 25.3%. 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line.10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. 21.9% are under the age of 18.21.9% are under the age of 18.

How does meth affect children?How does meth affect children?

Children are the littlest victims.Children are the littlest victims. Often times they are neglected and abused.Often times they are neglected and abused. They are exposed to the toxins used to They are exposed to the toxins used to

make meth. These toxins can cause burns, make meth. These toxins can cause burns, fires, or explosions.fires, or explosions.

Many times children are displaced from their Many times children are displaced from their homes due to meth.homes due to meth.

Objectives of UCAMObjectives of UCAM

To continue expanding the connections To continue expanding the connections between Western Oregon University, between Western Oregon University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Willamette University, Portland State Willamette University, Portland State University, and University of Portland.University, and University of Portland.

To continue working on finding foster care To continue working on finding foster care homes and emergency shelters.homes and emergency shelters.

Collect donations for “Operation T-shirt”.Collect donations for “Operation T-shirt”. Assist the YMCA in chaperoning “Nite Court”.Assist the YMCA in chaperoning “Nite Court”.

““Operation T-Shirt”Operation T-Shirt”

Biannual clothing drive to collect clothes for Biannual clothing drive to collect clothes for kids who have been displaced due to meth kids who have been displaced due to meth abuse.abuse.

Lasts for one month.Lasts for one month. Collection boxes are located at various Collection boxes are located at various

businesses in Dallas, Monmouth, and businesses in Dallas, Monmouth, and Independence.Independence.

““Nite Court”Nite Court”

Hosted at Talmadge Middle School.Hosted at Talmadge Middle School. A safe and fun place for kids to hang out on A safe and fun place for kids to hang out on

Saturday nights.Saturday nights. Activities include dances, games, and open Activities include dances, games, and open

gym.gym. Pizza and soda are provided.Pizza and soda are provided. Kids are able to be in a positive atmosphere.Kids are able to be in a positive atmosphere.

ForumForum

Provides resources and information on meth Provides resources and information on meth to people in the community who have been to people in the community who have been affected by meth.affected by meth.

Is scheduled for October 30Is scheduled for October 30thth, 2009 at , 2009 at Western Oregon University.Western Oregon University.

Will be streaming live via webcam and Will be streaming live via webcam and broadcast to other universities.broadcast to other universities.

Foster Care Homes/Emergency Foster Care Homes/Emergency SheltersShelters

There is a lack of foster care homes and There is a lack of foster care homes and emergency shelters for the children emergency shelters for the children displaced by meth.displaced by meth.

UCAM helps find people who are willing to UCAM helps find people who are willing to take in the children.take in the children.

UCAM will continue to assist locating safe UCAM will continue to assist locating safe and stable foster care homes and and stable foster care homes and emergency shelters.emergency shelters.

Future of UCAMFuture of UCAM

Long term goals for UCAM is to submit the Long term goals for UCAM is to submit the grant proposal over the summer to obtain grant proposal over the summer to obtain much needed funding.much needed funding.

Hire a full-time director to oversee UCAM.Hire a full-time director to oversee UCAM. Raise awareness for the UCAM program at Raise awareness for the UCAM program at

the Hop and Heritage Festival.the Hop and Heritage Festival. To continue to provide information and To continue to provide information and

resources on the meth epidemic to the resources on the meth epidemic to the community.community.

ReferencesReferences

NIDA InfoFacts: Methamphetamine. (2008, NIDA InfoFacts: Methamphetamine. (2008, June). June). National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved April 7, 2009, from Retrieved April 7, 2009, from Http://Http://www.nida.nih.gov/InfoFacts/methamphetaminewww.nida.nih.gov/InfoFacts/methamphetamine.html.html

Cleaning up former methamphetamine labs. Cleaning up former methamphetamine labs. (2008). (2008). KCI the anti-meth site. KCI the anti-meth site. Retrieved April Retrieved April 18, 2009, from 18, 2009, from http://http://www.kci.org/meth_info/meth_cleanup.htmwww.kci.org/meth_info/meth_cleanup.htm

References cont.References cont.

Polk County Quickfacts. (2009, February). Polk County Quickfacts. (2009, February). U.S. Census BureauU.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved April . Retrieved April      21, 2009, from      21, 2009, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41/41053.html053.html