NCJ Number
208463
Date Published
October 2004
Length
56 pages
Annotation
Utilizing two counties in the State of Illinois, an ethnographic study was conducted to examine the impact of methamphetamine on agencies and on citizens in both counties.
Abstract
In the Midwest, including the State of Illinois, methamphetamine use and production have become major problems. An ethnographic study was conducted of 2 adjoining Illinois counties and was designed to utilize 26 interviews from a range of community members in order to describe the impact of methamphetamine on agencies and citizens in these counties. The Illinois counties of Edgar and Clark are located in east central Illinois. These two counties are not only adjoining, but they share a variety of social services, as well as the services of a public defender. In recent years, methamphetamine has reached near crisis proportions in both counties. The impact of methamphetamine in both counties is presented and described in the areas of criminal justice, emergency responders, social service agencies, schools, and businesses. The most visible community response, mentioned by most interviewed, was the formation of the Coalition Against Methamphetamine Abuse (CAMA) in 2001. Several resources and activities were recommended by interview respondents to bring the problem of methamphetamine under control. Recommendations were predominantly in the areas of treatment and prevention, as well as training, manpower, protective equipment, temporary storage facility, a regional summit, and encouraging businesses to hire former methamphetamine users. Appendix and references