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National Grange Fights the Meth Problem In Rural America
WASHINGTON, April 24, 2006 – Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a highly addictive drug that is affecting every segment of society, especially rural America. In response to this growing crisis, the National Grange, an agriculture and rural advocacy organization, is spreading awareness about the dangers of meth in its DVD, “Methamphetamine: A Menace to Rural America.”`
The 15-minute DVD highlights the problems with meth in rural areas, explains who is affected, and gives advice on how rural Americans can combat meth labs in their areas.
“Meth producers are attracted to farming areas because it affords them a privacy that urban areas do not provide,” said William Steel, president of the National Grange. “As a result, farmers, many financially-disadvantaged, have to assume the burden of costly toxic clean-ups and stolen farming chemicals that aid producers with the creation of meth. The average clean-up cost is $25,000 to $30,000.”
Several surveys, report that meth lab seizures in rural areas increased by 62 percent in 2005, meth abuse among rural Americans increased by 82 percent in 2005 (5.3 percent of those users were under 12 years old), 60 percent of children taken from homes with meth labs had the drug in their systems in 2005, and more than 3,000 children living in rural areas become “meth orphans” in 2005.
If you are interested in receiving a complimentary copy of the DVD, please call 1-888-447-2643, ext. 107 or e-mail info@nationalgrange.org.
The National Grange is the nation’s oldest general farm and rural public affairs organization. Founded in 1867, the National Grange represents individuals Grange members affiliated with more than 2,800 local, county and state Grange chapters in farming and rural communities across the United States. |
