Meth impact meeting
KEYC reports about today's regional forum on meth impact in Problem of Meth in MN:
Congressman Tim Walz continued his tour of southern Minnesota today, but this time to talk about a devastating drug problem. News 12's Nathan Harrington has more on the forum featuring an impressive lineup of experts on the problem of meth in Minnesota.
Drug use and abuse is a nationwide problem, but the facts about Methamphetamine addiction in southern Minnesota could surprise you. "The drug problem affects everybody. And I don't think there is any more glaring evidence about the pervasiveness and destruction of the drug problem that we've experienced in this state with meth the past 10 years".
Admissions into drug treatment centers has been steady since 2000, with last year seeing 46 thousand people needing a cure for meth. It's also become a drug of choice, with levels of meth as a primary drug for users going up in the past 5 years. Law makers say there is still work to be done.
"We still have to work on assessment, which we haven't done a good job on. We have to work on total treatment and you also have to have a very strong after care program. So these are issues we are working on," [said State Senator Julie Rosen].
However, the organizer of the forum says this is an all star lineup of people who understand the problem:
"This is a very knowledgeable group and I said it helps inform me and the publics that's here. They've made it very clear what we need to do out in Washington and as their representative out there I need to make sure we're going to get that done and we heard them loud and clear and having different ideas to share among the panel will hopefully help elimiate the problem of meth," {said Representative Walz].
"The advantage of this is we have federal officials, state officials, local officials, all in the same room talking about the problem, sharing their experiences and sharing potential solutions, and that's very helpful."
Help that will lead to hope in the fight against meth. In Mankato, Nathan Harrington, news 12.
Leigh Pomeroy at the Minnesota Monitor offers more in-depth coverage in Progress Against Meth, but Problem Still Critical.
Farm bill meetings coverage
The Albert Lea Tribune covers Monday's meeting in Walz visits AL to discuss farm bill:
Area farmers and residents gathered Monday afternoon to participate in a forum designed to find out the local effects of the farm bill.
A forum of discussion is the best way to find out the concerns for this type of legislation, Minnesota’s 1st District Congressman Tim Walz said at the forum, which was at Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services.
His stop in Albert Lea was one of several planned throughout the district to gather input about the federal bill, which is up for reauthorization this year.
“Everybody has a right to be heard,” Walz said. “Every point needs to be articulated.”
He said he and the other House Agriculture Committee members were asked by committee Chairman Rep. Collin Peterson to gather input from their constituents in April and May to make way for the drafting of the new bill in the following months. The feedback he’s gotten so far, Walz said, has amazed him. . . .
Find out why in Sarah Light's article.
AgriNews is out with more coverage by Janet Kubat Willette in Plenty of opinions offered at farm bill hearing and Conservation, commodity programs draw farm bill hearing interest. Tomorrow's Farm Bill hearings:
10 a.m. - Jackson
Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Room Y1012 p.m. - Blue Earth
Town and Country Plaza - Ag Center Building,
415 South Grove Street (Hwy 169)
Thursday--Connecting with Government: Public Forums with Minnesota's Elected Officials
City slickers and those rural Minnesotans who have dug themselves out of the winter storm by Thursday should consider heading to the U for Tim Walz's speech about teaching foreign policy:
"Tomorrow's Foreign Policy: What We're Teaching Today's Students and Why It Matters"
Thursday, April 12, 2007
10:00am - 11:30am
Cowles Auditorium
Humphrey Center
301 19th Ave S., MinneapolisLight refreshments served after event
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance is hosting a series of public talks by prominent government leaders as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering informed and substantive discussion on important matters of public policy. "Connecting with Government" will allow Minnesota's elected officials the opportunity to rise above the talking points and fractious back-and-forth of the legislative process to make substantive statements about issues of importance for Minnesotans. It also creates a forum for students and citizens to listen and raise questions with their elected officials.
The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance works to develop practical solutions to pressing political and policy challenges. CSPG provides non-partisan research and forums to foster more effective and efficient governance, increase the transparency of government processes, and rebuild public trust in order to counteract negative influences that threaten our democracy.
These events are free and open to the public. To request disability accommodations, please call 612-625-2530 or email cspg {at} umn {dot} edu.
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