Stop Meth in Florida




	Methamphetamine Workgroup In January 2005, the Governor's Office of Drug Control established the Methamphetamine Workgroup to bring key state agencies together on a regular basis to jointly assess the extent of the Meth danger in Florida, and then devise joint, multi-agency approaches to combating both the continued spread of Meth as well as the harmful social and environmental effects resulting from its production and use. This workgroup is a logical extension to the holistic Meth control efforts first begun in Florida in 2003 with the promulgation of the Florida Statewide Methamphetamine Strategy. This strategy, jointly promulgated by the Governor’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, outlines a comprehensive state and federal approach to fighting the harmful personal and social effects caused by Meth in Florida. While there have been successes, much remains to be done. The goals of the Methamphetamine Workgroup include: Update Florida Statewide Methamphetamine Strategy developing and disseminating “Drug Endangered Children” treatment protocols for both first responders and law enforcement and social welfare agencies covering all aspects of the problems caused by a Methamphetamine Lab from its discovery remediation identifying shortfalls in resources for law enforcement, prevention and treatment formulating and then recommending for adoption by parent agencies Meth fighting policy and procedure enhancements advising on future Meth control legislation to assist in Florida’s multi-disciplinary responses to this serious public safety and health threat. A standout example of the Workgroup efforts is the Florida Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (Florida DEC) which launched a website in early 2006 hosted by the Florida Attorney General’s Office www.floridadec.com. This website has a wealth of information for Florida’s citizens and professionals concerned about children endangered by “caregivers” who manufacture, distribute, or use drugs in their presence, by doing so, physically or psychologically endanger children. The Workgroup is currently updating the 2003 Statewide Methamphetamine Strategy to include Drug Endangered Children guidelines, as well as Meth Prevention and Treatment issues. Workgroup participating agencies include: Governor’s Office of Drug Control Florida Attorney General’s Office Florida Department of Law Enforcement Florida Department of Children and Families Florida Department of Health Florida Department of Financial Services Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Florida Children’s Advocacy Center Florida MAMAs Orange County Drug Free Coalition US Drug Enforcement Administration Multi-Jurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force Training Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse