Travis Talbot is the Executive Director of Lead on America, a community-based organization that is dedicated to educating citizens in cooperating with law enforcement in the local war against drugs.
As I dropped my daughter off for the first day of fifth grade this year, I was reminded of the challenges that face her in the coming year. She will need to be intentional about making new friends, doing what’s right instead of doing what’s easy, balancing homework and sports, violin lessons, and fifth grade fun!
What didn't cross my mind was the possible introduction of meth and other drugs to her and her friends.
Statistics indicate that elementary age students as young as 10 and 11 are being introduced to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco by their older siblings, their peers and even their parents. With events like MethFest, a Seattle music culture celebrating meth, and the introduction of Strawberry Quick, a candy-like flavored meth targeting kids, even fifth graders are no longer immune to the promotion of meth.
Many of us have been deceived in thinking that meth only affects those in the drug culture. Meth does not discriminate the lives it destroys. Honor students have been known to take meth thinking they can pull an all-nighter to study for a test without being tired the next day. Young ladies have been deceived into thinking they need to fit in an unrealistic mold society has created. Then someone comes along and tells them that they can lose the weight without dieting or exercise. Even "soccer moms" have been known to use meth, when these all American moms who give everything for their family are tired with nothing left to give by early evening. These moms hear they can take a little miracle pill that will give them all the energy they need to get them through the day. In addition, meth is having a huge impact on our law enforcement and social welfare system. Nearly 80% of all Washington State foster care cases and 70% of the criminal justice cases are related to this horrific drug.
Recent news articles seem to indicate that the meth epidemic is over in our community. There have been reports that both the manufacture and use of meth has been declined in recent months. Unfortunately, that statistic isn’t very comforting if it is your child addicted to meth… or your neighborhood infested with the criminal activity and chaos associated with drug distribution and use. It is impossible to predict if the indications of the decline of meth are true, or simply a statistical event. But we do know that meth, in any amount, is a threat we can no longer ignore.
With such a devastating drug lurking in our community, it would be easy for community members to lose hope. But don't be discouraged! There is someone is giving this community threat the attention it deserves.
Rob McKenna saw the tragic effect meth was having on our community and he took deliberate action soon after becoming Washington State's Attorney General. With his Operation: Allied Against Meth program, Rob has focused his resources in fighting meth in our communities with comprehensive and intelligent strategies. What I appreciate about Rob's approach is that he's attacking this epidemic from every angle with prevention, education and dramatic steps to increase the penalties for both manufacturing and trafficking this insidious drug.
Rob has added specialized prosecution teams to help charge and prosecute complicated meth cases. The Attorney General's Office has also focused on investigating and prosecuting meth lab cases. He has partnered with community-based associations in education programs that promote the awareness and prevention of meth use and he has implemented programs to raise awareness of what meth activities look like in the marketplace so industry leaders could be aware of suspicious activities involving over the counter medications and household chemicals.
You might be surprised what a grass-roots, nonprofit organization like Lead On America and the Washington State Attorney General can accomplish when partnered together. I have had the privilege in speaking with Rob to students, parents, and communities all over Washington State since May 2005. Together we have spoken to over 30,000 students in over 50 junior and senior high schools about the devastating effects of meth. Rob understands that partnerships, education, and prevention are the key to successfully alleviating this epidemic from our neighborhoods and communities.
With Rob’s commitment to education and drug prevention I know he is the wise choice for Washington State. His determination to make our community safer will earn him not only my vote, but he will also have my gratitude each day as I drop my 5th grader off at school, knowing her world is a bit safer because Rob McKenna cares.