Governor Renews Successful Meth Task Force

We’re making progress protecting communities, Kulongoski said.

Governor Ted Kulongoski Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM) - Governor Kulongoski has announced the renewal of his Meth Task Force and pledged to build on the state’s success in fighting the deadly drug.

"We’re making progress against meth by restricting supply, cutting demand and giving communities the tools they need to fight this epidemic at the neighborhood level," the Governor said. " I’m renewing the Meth Task Force so that that we can work together and build on our success. There’s still more to be done."

Last year, the Governor worked with a bi-partisan coalition of legislators to pass the nation’s toughest meth law, resulting in a 77-percent reduction in the number of the meth labs in Oregon. The law also limited the availability of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Last month, the Meth Task Force made an anti-meth ‘toolkit’ available for communities to use in the fight against the dangerous drug. The ‘toolkit’ contains information about community resources and programs for treatment and prevention and a list of prevention experts in each county. It also includes a "Community Action Guide" and a PowerPoint slide library that allows users to customize presentations and help build coalitions in the community to fight meth.

Last month, the Governor also announced his support to expand 24/7 patrol coverage by the Oregon State Police on roads and highways—a strategy to help interdict the flow of meth into the state from super labs outside Oregon.

"Oregon is serious about beating this meth epidemic, and the Meth Task Force is already delivering results," the Governor said. "I appreciate their hard work, and I look forward to our continued partnership in this fight for safer communities."

The thirty-six Meth Task Force members are:

• Rob Bovett - Lincoln County Courthouse
• Steve Briggs - Oregon Department of Justice
• Sheriff Chris Brown - Douglas County
• Paul Burgett - Coos County Courthouse
• Kevin Campbell - Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police
• Dr. Carol Chervenak - ABC House
• Ann Christian - OCDLA Substantive Lobbyist
• Diana Corder - Community Development Manager, Pacific Power
• Nancy Cozine - Oregon Judicial Department
• Lt. Mike Dingemann - Oregon State Police
• John Deits - US DOJ/Unites States Attorney
• Kaleen Deatherage - Oregon Partnership
• Bill Etter - US DOJ/DEA
• Carla George - Relief Nursery, Inc.
• Dr. Bruce Goldberg - Department of Human Services
• Dave Guardino - Oregon Department of Education
• Grant Higginson - DHS/Health Services
• Karen Immergut - US DOJ/Unites States Attorney
• Judge Darryl Larson - Lane County Courthouse
• Captain Ed Mouery - Oregon State Police
• Joe O’Leary - Senior Policy Advisor
• Chris O'Neal - Wook Drug Free/ONF
• Anna Peterson - Criminal Justice Commission
• Diane Pohl - Mayor, Clatskanie
• Senator Floyd Prozanski - Oregon State Capitol
• Mike Schmidt - Bend Chamber of Commerce
• Gary Schnabel - Oregon Board of Pharmacies
• Representative Patti Smith
• Dr. Rita Sullivan - ON Track, Inc.
• Dr. Art Tolan - Oregon Department of Corrections
• Rick Trealeaven - Best Care Treatment Services
• Sheriff John Trumbo - Umatilla County Sheriffs Office
• Thom Van Arsdale - Baker County Community Corrections
• Karen Wheeler - Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Max Williams - Oregon Department of Corrections
• Jay Wurscher - Children, Adults & Families

"These volunteers are working to make Oregon communities safer, and I am deeply appreciative of their dedication to fighting this epidemic," the Governor said.