It is likely that neighbors in Lewiston were shocked to see drug agents in chemical suits searching a home in their backyard (Sun Journal story Feb. 4). Maine is not exempt from methamphetamine but clearly has been leading the charge to address this dangerous drug and the horrific effects it can have on communities.

In 2005, Maine became one of the first states in the country to restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine.  This has been one of the most effective ways that states have been able to reduce home labs and combat the problem.

Locally, Healthy Androscoggin is working with Project Unite, our countywide substance abuse prevention steering committee to address some of these concerns. The Project Unite Committee provides trainings for parents and schools, implements social marketing campaigns to change the community norms around alcohol and drug abuse, and helps coordinate prescription drug take-back programs.

The Project Unite committee has representation from school substance abuse counselors, law enforcement agencies, social services, treatment providers, parents, school administrators, school resource officers, the District Attorney’s office, and media/business leaders. One thing that is unique about our coalition is that we have a very successful balance between law enforcement and substance abuse prevention messages. The two work hand in hand to lower our youth use rates in the county.

In fact, in 2007, Healthy Androscoggin completed an extensive needs and resources assessment of the towns in Androscoggin County and engaged community members in a strategic prevention planning process to address the issue of substance abuse. As a result, we created the Alcohol Investigator position as well as the Alcohol Enforcement Team made up of representatives from the Auburn Police Departments, the Lisbon Police Department, Lewiston Police Department, the Androscoggin County Sheriffs’ Office and Healthy Androscoggin.

While our underage drinking rates have gone below the state level, we are finding that the use of inhalants and prescription drugs are rising. The latest bust of a meth lab is very concerning to us.

Healthy Androscoggin is a member of the Maine Methamphetamine Prevention Project which has two major goals:

• Increase awareness about the harm associated with methamphetamine production and use.

• Increase capacity of key institutions and community members to prevent the production and use of methamphetamine in Maine.

Maine Methamphetamine Prevention Project has a variety of members ranging from the Director of Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Roy McKinney to Community Coalitions like Healthy Androscoggin.

Since the spring of 2005, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency laboratory response team has investigated nearly 70 complaints of drug manufacturing across Maine. Sixteen of those investigations have resulted in the seizure of suspected manufacturing operations.

MDEA manages a team of 14 agents and three forensic chemists from the state’s Health and Environmental Testing Lab who are trained and certified to OSHA standards to enter and process crime scenes that contain hazardous materials. At each scene, MDEA’s team is supported by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, as well as local police, fire and EMS crews.

The Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse oversees the current methamphetamine grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice; and is working in partnership with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to address these issues.

In fact, there will be a methamphetamine prevention educational training session in Lewiston on May 10, and community members are encouraged to sign up to learn more.  Additionally, there is an upcoming inhalant training open to the public on March 3, sponsored by Safe Schools Healthy Students. To find out more about these trainings, call 795-2506 or visit www.healthyandroscoggin.org.

Healthy Androscoggin is a community coalition dedicated to improving the health of Androscoggin County citizens through collaborative planning, community action, education and prevention. The coalition has four main community goals that include: supporting tobacco free lifestyles, increasing physical activity, promoting healthy eating, and preventing substance abuse. Healthy Androscoggin, a Healthy Maine Partnership, is funded in part by the Fund for a Healthy Maine.

Christine Letcher is health promotion coordinator for Healthy Androscoggin.