HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2007-09Suggested by: City Council
CYTY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2007-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, PLEDGING A
CONTRIBUTION OF $2,500 TO THE PROPOSED STATEWIDE METHAMPHETAMINE
ABUSE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Conference of Mayors were informed of an initiative
sponsored by the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and the
Municipality of Anchorage to initiate a statewide methamphetamine abuse education
program at its July, 2006 meeting; and,
WHEREAS, a request has been made to Peninsula municipalities and organizations to
pledge $2,500 toward the campaign to be used as a local cash match and seed money;
and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kenai has experienced the devastating effects of
methamphetamine abuse on individuals, families, and the community at large; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai City Council wishes to assist in addressing the
methamphetamine abuse problem and believes community education is a vitally
important component of the effort.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, the pledge of $2,500 is made toward the initiation of the statewide
methamphetamine abuse education program and authorizes the submission of the
pledged funds.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this seventh day of
March, 2007. -^
PAT PORTER, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, pity Clerk
ALASKA METH EDUCATION PROJECT
A STATEWIDE TRI-BOROUGH PROJECT
P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
wwsw.AlaskaMelhEd.com 745-3323
January 24, 2007
Memo To: Community Mayors
Memo From: Tim. Anderson, Coordinator, Alaska Meth Education Project
Subject: Scope of Work for Meth Education Program
The purpose of this memo is to provide background information and a proposed scope of work
for the Alaska Meth Education Project (AME Project).
BackEround Information:
In April 2006, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Tim Anderson approached U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
about the federal funds available to address the growing meth problem in Alaska. Other states
were receiving these funds on an earmark basis, why not Alaska? Mayor Anderson was asked to
go back to Alaska and organize a local effort and bring her back a plan and program and she
would help. In May of 2006, the Tri Borough Commission agreed to sponsor and help develop a
Meth Education program to combat a growing problem in Alaska and the nation. Mayor
Anderson approached the other two large population area governments (Juneau, and Fairbanks)
to join the effort to start a statewide meth education campaign to educate Alaskans about the
dangers of meth and Co prevent youth from trying meth even once. The intent was each Borough
would contribute or raise local private funding to start the program and that would be used as a
match to obtain federal and state matching funds. Federal funding is still pending; however we
did receive a State appropriation this year.
It was also agreed that the City of Anchorage would serve as the administrative arm for this
project and that the project would be recommended by the AME Board, composed of two
members from each participating Borough. The MOA Mayor's office hired me and is using the
Mayor's budget to pay my wages. The City of Anchorage has established an account at the
Alaska Community Foundation Co receive the funds and to serve as the treasury for this project.
All the contributions fiom the Boroughs and other sources will be deposited into this account and
disbursements will we made in accordance with the policy of the account.
Scone of Work:
The mission of the AME project is to develop a program that will provide prevention education
materials, via many different methods of distribution, on Che growing meth issue in the State of
Alaska. We do not intend to re-create the wheel and we will utilize the best of existing practices
and programs from around the counhy. We intend to work with any existing programs to assist
and enhance them if possible. The main goal is to have a central website full of meth
information and refen~al links. We purchased Che domain name - www.AlaskaMethEd.com -and
this site has been developed and is up and running.
The first step we took was to commission a statewide study to determine what, if any meth
education programs already existed in the State. That study basically indicated that there is very
little happening in providing meth education. in Alaska, and there is no focused education effort.
This study is posted on our web site.
We are getting the news oat to as many agencies as possible. We then plan to do a media
campaign using Celevision, radio, and newspapers. Successful programs in other states have used
this approach by launching a media blitz including some graphic examples of what meth can do.
Next we want to develop and distribute meth resource kits to every community in Alaska. The
idea is to puC out videos, print materials, and training mater7als in each community so they can do
more local education. We also intend to assist with the development of written materials that can
be distributed to our School Districts, Youth Clubs, parents, medical facilities, and other sources.
We would like to sponsor a statewide Meth Conference at some point to share information. We
also recognize that there are many local efforts taking place now. I have come across these
programs as I talk to Alaskans and most are good programs We want to work with these efforts
and provide small grants for materials and other costs.
The secondary goal is to seek additional matching funding for this project. We have already had
considerable interest from the private sector to contribute to this project. The local government
funding will provide the seed money to get the whole process started. It was never the intent of
this pragram to start an on-going program that would be funded by local government. Thal
should be strictly voluntary.
Estimated Proiect Budget:
Estimated Revenues:
Local Government Contributions, Borough Funds or Other Funds
State Appropriation Initial Contribution (We directly get half)
Estimated Private Contributions
Investment Earnings AK Comm. Foundation
Total Revenues
Estimated Expenditures:
Media Advertising Campaign
Print and Education Curriculum and Materials
Development and Distribution of Community Resource Kits
Professional Assistance, Graphic Design, Production, Etc
Direct Assistance Grants to Good Existing Programs
Meth Education Summit for Alaska
Administration Costs:
Foundation Banking Fees AK Comm. Foundation
Web Site DevelopmenC
Travel for Fund Raising, Program Development
Board Meeting Costs, Travel, Phone
Supplies and other Costs
Total Expenditures
$ 200,000
50,000
50,000
2.000
$ 302,000
$ 160,000
40,000
20,000
20,000
20,000
15,000
3,000
2,000
9,000
12,000
1.000
$ 302,000
ALASKA METH UATIN
PROJECT
A STATEWIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COORDINATED PR07ECT
ST~Z'EGIC PLE1~
Impact of Meth
"The meth epidemic in the U.S. began in the Western part of the country and is moving East.
The increasingly widespread production, distribution and use of meth are now affecting urban,
suburban and rural communities nationwide. County governments across America arse on Che
front lines in responding to the methamphetamine crises."(NACO, "The Meth Epidemic in
America").
Methamphetamine production and abuse causes legal, medical, environmental and social
problems for communities across the nation. As meth users are jailed and incarcerated, our state
government must absorb the costs. The tremendous economic and social costs associated with
the meth problem affect every community and include law enforcement and incarceration;
domestic violence; clean-up of clandestine lab sites; theft, burglaries, and other property crimes;
emergency medical treatment; HIV/AIDS; workplace violence; environmental contamination;
murders and suicides.
In 2005, a survey oP 200 hospitals, by the National Association of Counties, found that there
were more meth-related emergency room visits than any other chug. Hospitals across the
country reported methamphetamine as the top illiciC drug involved in presentations at their
hospitals. They also reported an increase in the number of meth-related visits to the emergency
room over the past 5 years. Most of these patients lacked health insurance, and as a result costs
at these facilities have increased because of the growing meth problem. (NACO).
Methamphetamine laboratories in Alaska are being operated increasingly in single and
multifamily residences in many neighborhoods Children are frequently found living in these
meth lab sites and many continue to live in these dangerous environments exposing them to great
risk for physical, emotional, and developmental harm. These children frequently suffer from
respiratory conditions, are malnourished and experience developmental delays. Children who
live in homes where meth is used but not manufactured were also found to have high rates of
sexual abuse and neglect. The cost of one meth-exposed infant over his or her lifespan can total
over $1.7 million dollars. This estimate includes the costs Co school systems for special
education and other services for these children estimated at approximately $75,000 per child.
(Dr. Dennis Embry, Paxis Institute).
P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
(907) 745-3323
W .Ala~kat~lethEd.cotv~
The Alaska Methamphetamine Education Project
Local governments began efforts to address meth in 2005 by placing the Methamphetamine issue
on their Legislative Priorities lists. Using various models from other states, the Alaska
Methamphetamine Education Project (AME Project) was implemented in October 2006 in
response Co the devastating consequences Alaska communities were experiencing from
methamphetamine production and usage. AME's goal is to provide information through the
media and any other way possible, training and technical assistance on comprehensive,
community-wide strategies for addressing the methamphetamine problem that focus on both
reducing the supply of and demand for meth.
Trainings will provide key background information needed for community awareness and the
resources needed for communities to implement proven strategies. The goal is Co help
communities address the meth problem at the local level.
The success of meth prevention efforts is dependent upon the extent to which schools, law
enforcement, parents, businesses and other community systems and groups work
comprehensively and collaboratively to implement a full array of education, prevention,
enforcement and treatment initiatives. The AME Project will bring a variety of interdiscip]inary
partners to the table to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to combat the meth
problem here in Alaska.
The specific array of strategies and programs AME hopes to develop for communities to
implement include 1) building public awareness; 2) providing targeted education and skill
building; 3) changing specific features of the environment; 4) seeking relevant changes in
policies and practices of key local institutions.
Building Public Awareness
Community Awareness: Focus on educating multiple community sectors about how to identify
and report methamphetamine activity and how to address the meth problem in a community.
Awareness activities include town hall meetings, trainings, community-specific educational
materials, and implementation of meth watch programs.
Sectors targeted include parents, property owners, hotel/motel employees, neighborhood
residents, chance encounter occupations including realtors, gas service employees, and hunters,
judges, prosecutors, day care providers, child protective service workers, and health care
professionals.
Media: Efforts include public service announcements and paid advertisements, for television
and newspapers, news conferences, and press releases with subsequent coverage of events. The
project has a website <AlaskaiMethl;d.c:onv which provides access to information and resources.
Future plans include developing a quarterly newsletter to distribute to individuals in communities
across the state with updated information abouC resources available, legislation, training
opportunities, and current trends.
P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
(907)745-3323
.Ala§kaMethEd.com
Trainings: Future plans to provide training that focuses on recognition of meth activity, safety
information, and general information about meth ("Meth 101") are being discussed, including the
possibility of web-based trainings.
Community Buy In: Development of a community methamphetamine prevention "toolkit" that
contains a manual with in-depth information about implementation strategies; CD-rom or DVD
with presentations for multiple target audiences, videos, and brochures. We plan to distribute
these kits to every community in Alaska.
Changing SpeciFic Features of the Environment
Meth Watch: Created in Kansas in 2000, MethWatch utilizes signage to deter theft and purchase
of precursor products in retail stores, includes an employee training program, educates customers
and encourages reporting of suspicious transactions to law enforcement. Outcomes include
reduced thefts of precursor products and increased arrests based on intelligence from retail
personnel. This program is currently being coordinated by a partner age~acy in FairGanks,
Alaska.
Rural Strategies: Focus on working with AFN, Traditional Councils Native Elders, Community
Councils, and local governments about how to best educate and reach those living in rural/bush
communities.
Provide Targeted Education and Skills Building
School and Youth Involvement: Partner with Safe and Drug Free Schools programs to insure
thaC effective drug prevention curricula and programming are implemented in the schools; usage
of meth-specific curriculum such as Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking area; presentatons
to youth in schools;; in-service trainings for teachers an other school staff; special events in
schools; involving existing youth organizations (e.g. Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl
Scouts)
Relevant Changes in Policies and Practices in Key Institutions
Currently, there are few Laws in Alaska thaC deal specifically with issues related to the
manufacture and use of methamphetamine.
HCR4 -- Establishment of a Meth Watch program passed the Legislature in 2006.
H.B. 149 -a law relating to the sale of Methamphetamine and Precursors, which was
enacted June 6, 2006 and effective on that same date. This bill establishes new laws
governing the purchase, sale and sales record requirements for non-prescription cough
and cold medications that contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine.
This bill restricts the amount of pseudoephedrine base product a person can acquire to six
grams within a 30-day period. Customers must show identification and sign a pharmacy
log. The law was passed in response to an increase in activity after other states passed
similar laws.
The Anchorage Assembly on October I1, 2005, passed ordinance AO 2005-98 adding the
sale of methamphetamine precursor drugs Co Chapter 8.90 of the municipal code.
P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
(90?)745-3323
.AfaskaMethEd.com
Other Strategies to pursue
Seek to make relevant changes in policies and establish laws making meth related activity in the
presence of children a crime.
Drug Endangered Children Programs-currently Alaska does not have a Drug Endangered
Children Program. However, there is the Alaska Children's Justice Act Task Force that works to
identify areas where improvement is needed in the statewide response to child maltreatment
particularly child sexual abuse, make recommendations and take actions to improve the system.
Minigrants: Start up funding awarded to communities for implementation of meth prevention and
education efforts.
Resource Materials: Use of the web site as a resource library with ]inks to other pertinent
information. Provide press releases, statistics and multiple documents which can be updated
with eommuniry specific information; and other materials; c}uiek reference cards for home
visitors.
Outcomes in Alaska
The outcomes we hope to achieve through the AME project are:
To change Che perceptions about the supply, demand, and use of Methamphetamine
To see a reduction in Chefts of precursor products
- Reduced use of meth by youth
^ Reduction of perceived availability of meth by youth
^ Improved collaboration between public/private agencies
^ Increased public awareness.
P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
(907)745-3323
eno .Ata~kaMethEd.co
Ten Lessons far Effective Meth Prevention
(From the Kansas Meth Prevention Project)
1. The meth problem will not be solved through law enforcement or any single sector alone.
Meth is amulti-dimensional problem that demands comprehensive, coordinated solutions
involving the collaboration of multiple community sectors including ]aw enforcement and other
first responders, health care professionals, social service providers, treatment providers, retailers,
farmers, youth schools, parents, faith communities, court system representatives and media.
2. The need to build and sustain effective prevention infrastructures in communities musC be
instilled as a national, state and community value because as funding priorities shift and drug
trends change, effective prevention efforts are often cut or eliminated.
In Kansas, the utilization of a statewide prevention infrastitvcture which includes a Regional
Prevention Center system that provides training and technical assistance to communities across
the state, access to data from the statewide Communities that Care school survey, and utilization
of an online evaluation and documentation of meth prevention efforts.
3. The provision of expert technical assistance, resources and training for communities is essential.
Success [in Kansas] was related to a coordinated, reliable organization which could provide
current information relevant to their community about the issue, data Co demonstrate the need for
efforts, and support for ongoing efforts.
4. The Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities program is the foundation of which other
school based prevention efforts are built. The program provides the only portal into schools
for community anti-drug efforts. This program is a component of any comprehensive strategy
to address meth issues in communities around the country.
5. Effective meth prevention must be data driven, from the initial collection of baseline data to
determine the extent of the problem through program implementation and evaluation of
outcomes over time. [No more denial of problem]
6. Programs and policies can be implemented at the state level but community-level invo]vement
and buy-in is essential for meth prevention to work and obtain measurable results.
7. Small amounts of start-up funding can engage communities in comprehensive efforts to combat
meth that leverage other community resources and major levels of citizen involvement.
8. Tn communities with existing coalitions to address substance abuse, efforts were more quickly
implemented and had more success.
9. To be optimally effective, communities need to pick the specific programs they implement from
the four core program components [build public awareness; targeted education and skills
building; change specific features of the environment; seek relevant changes in
policies/practices] W fit their local needs, based on local data and circumstances.
10. Establishing a model program in one community Chat could then be adapted and replicated across
communities led to faster, efficient implementation.
P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519-6650
(907) 745-3323
.Ala~lcaMethEd.com
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 2, 2006
PAGE 11
H-7. Approval -- Amendments to City of Kenai Mini-Grant
Overview /Procedures.
Removed from agenda.
H-8. Discussion -- Identification of Priorities for $322,000 Legislative Alaska
Department of Commerce & Community Economic Development Grant
Funding.
Koch referred to information included in the packet, noting the city received a
$322,000 grant from the Department of Conunerce & Community Economic
Development; he is in the process of sending in grant language to use the funds far
any public purpose; and, he believes a portion of the funds could be used for the
Shamrock Circle LID (estimated cost of $89,500). Koch noted other suggestions for
use of the funds, but requested council to delay determining where the remaining
funds might be used until a more comprehensive plan is prepared.
No action was required.
H-9. Discussion -- Proposed Statewide Anti-Methamphetamine Abuse
Education Campaign.
Koch reviewed information included in the packet from the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Mayor's office requesting members of the Peninsula Conference of Mayors to consider
pledging $2,500 toward a statewide anti-methamphetamine abuse education
campaign. It was also noted, no actual cash contributions were being requested at
this time until mechanics of how the funds would be spent is devised.
Kenai Police Department Lt. Wanamaker game a brief report of City, Peninsula and
statewide problems related to methamphetarnine abuse. Council had no objections to
pledge $2,500, but no firm conunitment would be made until a plan is presented for
its consideration.
Discussion -- Extension of Construction Schedule/Lots 13 & 14, Block
1, Cook IxxIet Industrial Air Parlc -- David and Michael Schilling, d jb/a
Schilling Rentals.
MOTION:
Council Member Ross MOVED for approval of a one-year extension. Council Member
Swarner SECONDED the motion and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Moore stated an objection to unanimous consent noting concerns with allowing
projects to drag on. Koch reported that was also a concern of Administration, but in