Methamphetamine is a drug that affects the family, friends and community of its users.

In 2001, Coles County was the leader in Illinois meth-related arrests.

In 2003, the Coles County Meth Awareness Coalition was formed by local social services providers, law enforcement and concerned citizens.

The CCMAC set its mission to educate the community on substance abuse problems and to support and facilitate a prevention effort with local agencies.

The coalition in junction with WEIU-TV launched its first campaign in April 2004. The campaign was called “Meth: Slingshot into Destruction.”

Educational programs were held in Coles, Moultrie, Shelby and Douglas counties.

The CCMAC also works with the Meth Watch program, a group started in Kansas to “help deter suspicious sales and theft of pseudoephdrine-containing medicines and other products used in the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamines,” according their Web site, www.colescountymeth.org.

The program is focused on retail stores who carry products that can be used to make meth, also known as “speed,” “crank,” “glass” or “ice.” These items include some common household objects such as coffee filters, paint thinner and matchbooks.

Children and pets found in meth houses during busts are often removed, and the transition can be difficult.

The CCMAC has a Kids Carepack program to help make the transition easier for these children.

Items from diapers to large containers to clothing and toys are gathered, made into care packs and given to displaced children. A full list of volunteer efforts and donations the program needs is on their Web site.

A Carepacks for Canines and Cats was recently formed as a graduation project for Jeff Seafler, a recent graduate of Coles County Drug Court.

Drug Court is a program designed to help substance abusers overcome their addictions. This is achieved through a minimum of 13-month program of counseling, drug testing and meetings with a probation officer.

May 2009 was the first month in history that drug court graduations took place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The Coles County graduation took place May 21.

Sarah Ruholl can be reached at 581-7943 or seruholl2@eiu.edu.