Methamphetamine is now the drug of choice in rural Minnesota. Many rural communities face unique challenges regarding the growth of the meth problem. Through a collaborative effort, the community of Morris, located in west-central Minnesota, has documented the impact of methamphetamine in a one-hour television documentary “Meth in the Heartland: A Community’s Response.” The documentary will air on SCTV 19 Thursday, March 1, at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 3, at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The project was developed in 2006 to help educate the citizens of Morris and those in communities throughout the state of Minnesota regarding the wide-ranging effects of this illegal drug. The documentary is designed to give a general overview of the drug, its rising history, and how it impacts the community in terms of social damage and financial cost to taxpayers. The project was funded by a grant from the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC), a federal granting program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which emphasizes community revitalization. The impact of methamphetamine use and addiction is becoming more evident as local law enforcement, county governments, and social service organizations work to create solutions to combat what many refer to as “the devil’s drug.” The documentary weaves interviews from former and current users, law enforcement, social services, health care, elected officials and victims of crime associated with methamphetamine use. These interviews shape the storyline – no single area of the community can successfully solve the methamphetamine problem. It will take the entire community to come together to create solutions to combat the problem. For more information on Meth in the Heartland, visit www.ci.morris.mn.us/pd/ or contact the Morris City Police Department at (320) 589-1155. DVDs of the documentary are also available for purchase.
