All citizens are welcome and encouraged to join the Meth Task force.

Each month educational presentations are made on a variety of topics.

For more information, please see: Meth Task Force 

The real work of the taskforce is done in the committees. Citizens are welcome and encouraged to join one or more of the committees.

Children and youth are the biggest victims in the meth epidemic. It is critical that we intervene early so that we can protect the children from harm and redirect them so that they don’t repeat the cycle of drug use. Therefore the work of this committee is twofold:

1. works with human services, public and private schools, and law enforcement in order to ensure these children don’t fall through the cracks, and are appropriately helped once they are identified and
2. identify and implement activities that have been proven to prevent the use of meth.

• Prevention Information
• Drug Endangered Children Information

This committee works to advocate for laws, and the necessary resources to enforce them, that will help to eliminate meth in Mesa County. This committee works with all law enforcement agencies in the valley and the District Attorney in their endeavors.

Enforcement Information 

This committee works with all other committees and the entire meth taskforce to develop and implement public relation strategies that raise the awareness of the problem of meth in Mesa County and how citizens can get involved to create a meth free Mesa County.

Public Relations Committee Information 

Meth use has reached an epidemic proportion in Mesa County. Not only can we not build enough jails to hold addicts, once released they only go back to the drug and a life of crime to support their habit. It is imperative that appropriate treatment is available.

Treatment Information 

Over seventy-five percent of the children living in foster care today are there as a direct result of meth. Those children are at an extremely high risk of using meth themselves as they get older. For most it is the only way of life they have known. But caring adults, willing to take these children in their home, can make all the difference in the world. As more and more children come into foster care as a result of meth, the foster homes available are dwindling. Because of a shortage of foster homes, sometimes brothers and sisters are separated in different homes and some have to leave the county all together. Loving, nurturing foster parents can make the single most positive difference in ridding our community of the cycle of meth.

For more information visit Mesa County Human Services Foster Parent Program 

Over 51 percent of the inmates surveyed in the Mesa County jail reported they first tried meth with a friend, a family member or a partner. Nearly all of them said they believe their life would have turned out differently had they chosen different friends. This highlights the need for positive role models for youth. At any given time there are over 50 boys on the waiting list for a Senior Partner, and most of them will wait two years to be matched. But meth has no waiting list. It is always looking for its next victim. This is where citizens can get involved and make a difference. Just a couple of hours can change a life forever. For more information call Partners at 245-5555.

For more information visit the Mesa County Partners Program website.

The purpose of Court-Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.) is to screen and train citizen volunteers to speak in court on behalf of children who are the victims of abuse or neglect. No special knowledge or experience in human services or law is required. C.A.S.A. is looking for volunteers who believe children deserve a loving, nurturing environment and who are willing to speak out for them.

For more information visit the National CASA website.

Many of the issues that face meth addicts and their families, include issues such as poverty, housing, employment and education just to name a few. Fortunately there are many non-profits and faith based groups that work to address these social issues.

The Benevolent Community Partnership was formed in order to better coordinate those services thereby eliminating duplication and filling gaps. The Benevolent Community Partnership focuses on eight areas which include:

Housing • Health Care • Substance Abuse Employment • Families • Senior Citizens Youth • Basic Needs /Food

For information about how you, your church or any other benevolent agency can get involved visit Mesa County Benevolent Community Partnership