Silver City meth prevention and recovery forum a big success

About 40 people crowded into the Silver City Firehouse office for the potluck dinner and meth prevention and recovery forum April 3. The event was hosted by the Silver City Task Force and Healthy Communities Coalition.

Monty Williams, a licensed substance-abuse counselor and coalition coordinator for the statewide American Indian coalition, used a powerpoint presentation to show the audience the toxic ingredients that methamphetamine is made with and the drastic effects it can have on the health and lives of those who become addicted.

Next a successful local man riveted the crowd with his description of his fight for recovery from methamphetamine addiction that began in childhood.

Finally, local Allison Woodman, a former California child-protective services social worker, explained how methamphetamine leads to child neglect and abuse and urged adults to seek help in mutual support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous. She advised children with addicted parents to confide in trusted adults who can help their parents get the services they need.

Jessica Cutts, of Healthy Communities Coalition, and Tamara Burnet, of the Silver City Task Force, urged people to join their local task forces - most towns in Lyon and Storey counties have task forces which are branches of the Healthy Communities Coalition, and youth-prevention groups, such as the Healthy Communities Coalition-sponsored tobacco groups, like Youth Education about Tobacco Issues and Stand Tall Don't Fall.

Silver City's Task Force and youth-prevention group contact is Quest Lakes, 847-0742, and Healthy Communities staff may be reached at 246-7550.

Three audience members received raffle prizes: $50 cash from the Healthy Communities Coalition, $50 cash from an anonymous donor and a $25 gift certificate from Café Del Rio. Thanks to Tamara Burnet for organizing the event, to the Silver City Volunteer Fire Department for the use of the office and to the many volunteers who helped set up, clean up, and prepare food.

• Quest Lakes is a Silver City resident.