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I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2nd Annual Faith and Spiritual Based Summit addressing “Meth Through the Eyes of a Child” as both an attendee and a presenter. The half-day Summit was held on April 12th at Grace to the Nations Church. The Summit was especially geared toward educating, equipping, and engaging the faith community to mobilize efforts in the fight against Meth. The Summit also emphasized that recovery from Meth addiction is possible and families can be reunited.
The conference left me wanting more. I wanted more than one hundred and seventy-five people in attendance to hear these messages and I wanted more time to spend in the workshops.
The speakers were all in agreement…since the Meth Free Alliance was formed about 2 years ago and began taking specific action steps to fight the use of Methamphetamine in our community, positive progress has been made. Mayor Bob Walkup, Supervisor Richard Elias, and TPD Captain David Neri, Commander of Counter Narcotics Alliance, and Lucas Tate, an Aide for Governor Janet Napolitano, all shared information and statistics demonstrating the reduction of Meth and Meth related crime in our community through various programs that have been implemented in Pima County. The Honorable Judge Joan Wagener told of the wonderful successes that Drug Court is accomplishing with both parents and their children.
I left the conference knowing that, although we have a long way to go to eliminate Meth, we are indeed headed in the right direction. With the concerted efforts of community members, faith groups, and businesses, we will continue to make a difference fighting this community epidemic. Nationally renowned developmental psychologist and President of PAXIS Institute, Dr. Dennis Embry, presented a creative and insightful demonstration that focused the audience on the realities of Meth through the eyes of a child.
Children of Meth addicts suffer many consequences that they have no control over, including being removed from their homes and placed in foster care. They also experience shame, fall behind in schoolwork, and have less developed social skills. Older children also take on the responsibility of caring for younger siblings, while parents skirt their family obligations chasing after their next high. They are robbed of their childhood.
Brianna Shore and Frankie Santa Cruz gave personal testimonials that as children they witnessed and experienced the devastation that Meth can have on a family. Both were removed from their homes by CPS, along with their siblings. After receiving appropriate services and community supports these two women were reunified with their families. They are evidence that Meth addicts can be rehabilitated and families can be restored. The achievement of these parents is best reflected in the fact that both moms are now employed in the social service field, helping others in their addiction recovery.
Informative workshops followed the speakers. The workshops included Strategies for Intervention and Prevention, What Kids Need to Know, Where Can I Turn for Help, What Works with Youth, and Drug Court and Community Involvement. We were given strategies and tools for a call to action. And, unlike workshops at most other conferences, these workshops challenged attendees to develop individual and group action plans, utilizing these strategies and tools. In six to nine months, we will gather again to share what was accomplished through these action plans.
It’s exciting to know that there are things I can do to combat Methamphetamine. There are also things that YOU can do. Contact the Meth Free Alliance for more information at (520) 388-4711.
Cathy Tullgren, MSW
Visitation Program Coordinator
Aviva Children’s Services
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