Toxic waste from a methamphetamine lab.
The Phoenix Area Tribal Leaders have informed the Phoenix Area IHS Director that their communities are experiencing a rise in
methamphetamine use resulting in (1) an increase of crime and (2) an increase in medical and behavioral health problems.
They have requested the assistance of the Phoenix Area Director to aid them in addressing the methamphetamine problem.
Background
Methamphetamine is an extremely serious and growing national problem across the nation with dramatic increases in rural areas,
such as the reservations. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant associated with serious health conditions. These
health conditions include, but are not limited to, memory loss, aggression, psychotic behavior, and potential heart and brain
damage. Methamphetamine comes in many forms and can be smoked, snorted, orally ingested, or injected (see photos to the right). The drug alters moods
in different ways, depending on how it is taken.
Goal
One of the most important goals of the Phoenix Area is to educate the tribal leaders, law enforcement, health providers,
behavioral health counselors, and community members to understand methamphetamine use, abuse, and addiction. This increase
in knowledge will assist the communities in developing more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of these
individuals.
Implementation
The Phoenix Area has begun to address this goal through conferences and community education and outreach. The Phoenix Area
Behavioral Program held its Second Annual Behavioral Health Conference in April and dedicated one day of the conference to
address the methamphetamine issue. Conference speakers provided information on the manufacturing and distribution of
methamphetamine, clinical issues of methamphetamine, and the matrix treatment model being used nationally and internationally
to treat methamphetamine users.
The Phoenix Area Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program Director and the Phoenix Area Social Work Consultant gave
methamphetamine presentations at both the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) Elders Conference in Tucson and at an
ITCA caregivers meeting. Both presentations stimulated much discussion among the presentation participants, whether it was
the elders and their concern for their children, grandchildren, and the youth in their communities or those receiving care
from the caregivers.
The Phoenix Area in conjunction with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will sponsor a
Health Summit June 14-16 in Mesa, Arizona. The overall purpose is:
- Understand the extensive impacts of methamphetamine in Indian country.
- Exchange collaborative efforts/dialogue to address methamphetamine issues.
- Stimulate partnerships to address methamphetamine at local, state, and national levels.
- Share best practices and innovative prevention strategies.
Community education and outreach is another initiative that the Phoenix Area is providing assistance with. The Area Alcohol
/Substance Abuse Program will initiate in collaboration with tribal communities the Community Readiness Model to address
methamphetamine. The overall purpose of the model is to assist communities in their understanding to develop effective,
culturally-appropriate, and community–specific strategies for prevention and intervention of methamphetamines.
Summary
The Phoenix Area IHS has developed some initiatives to assist the Phoenix Area Tribal communities in addressing the growing
problem of methamphetamine. These initiatives include conferences and community education and outreach. All initiatives
focus on the common goal of educating the tribal leaders, law enforcement, health providers, behavioral health counselors,
and community members to understand methamphetamine use, abuse, and addiction.
Contact Information
Please feel free to contact these individuals for assistance.
The author of this article, Dave Atkins, Director of the Phoenix Area Alcohol/Substance Program
can be reached at (602) 364-5159 or by email david.atkins@na.ihs.gov.
The High Intensity Drug Traffic Area coordinators for Arizona/Nevada and Utah provide methamphetamine presentations and
assistance to tribal communities in developing strategies to address methamphetamine problems. The state coordinators are
listed below:
- Arizona/Nevada: Mr. Rich Roskie at (602) 664-5623
- Utah: Mr. Jim Gerherdt at (303) 671-2180
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Methamphetamine is available in many forms as depicted below.
Methamphetamine in pill form that can be swallowed.
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Methamphetamine in powder form that can be snorted.
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Methamphetamine in crystal form that can be injected or smoked.
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