Albert Lea readies for Meth Education Week

Albert Lea readies for Meth Education Week
By Joseph Marks, Tribune staff writer

Saturday, January 21, 2006 5:23 PM CST



The beginning of 2006 marks the onset of another year combating meth in Albert Lea. It also marks the beginning of another year educating children, parents, grandparents and community leaders about a dangerous drug that crosses all boundaries.

Twenty-three Freeborn County churches will be incorporating meth education into their services today or next Sunday as part of Meth Education Week, developed by the Meth Equals Death Task Force.

Other Meth Education Week events include:

- David Parnell, who survived 23 years of drug addiction and two suicide attempts, will be giving a motivational presentation called “Facing the Dragon,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24 in the Albert Lea High School auditorium.

Parnell has traveled to 11 states and one other country sharing his story of struggle with methamphetamine addiction and recovery and his devotion to saving others from a similar battle with the drug.

Parnell is now 38 years old and married with seven children.


Teens Involved in Drug Education will present a program during the evening and the Albert Lea Police Department will offer an educational display.

The presentation is open to the public. A separate presentation for high school students will be held during the day.

Attendees should be advised the presentation is quite graphic, according to Ross Williams, Dean of Students at Albert Lea High School.

- The Albert Lea Medical Center's “Health Talk” show on KATE Radio, Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 8 a.m. will focus meth addiction and treatment.

- A panel discussion on Meth Education for Landlords will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Riverland Community College Auditorium, moderated by Jim Siegel, President of the United Way Board.

Prior to the panel discussion, the five participants will give 20 minute presentations on their areas of expertise. Corey Farris, of the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office, will talk about meth labs and the warning signs of a meth house.

Randy Tuchtenhagen, Director of Environmental Service for Freeborn County, will discuss cleanup after a meth lab has been found.



Freeborn County Public Health Director Lois Ahern will discuss the emotional and physical effects of meth use on tenants and their children.

County Attorney Craig Nelson will discuss probation requirements following a meth arrest.

Matt Benda, an attorney with Peterson, Savelkoul & Benda will deliver a 45 minute presentation on the new state meth law and the Freeborn County Meth Ordinance. Topics covered will include: how to screen tenants, how to quickly evict tenants and landlord's clean up requirements.

All presenters will take questions briefly after their presentations and at greater length when all presentations are finished.

- Corey Farris, with the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office and Paula Ciffra, an adolescent chemical dependency counselor at Fountain Centers will be presenting at First Baptists Church in Clarks Grove, Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Clarks Grove Boy Scout Troop 219.

Contact Joseph Marks at joseph.marks@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3435.