Craig Daily Press

I want to personally thank all of those who showed up at Thursday’s noon meeting of Communities Overcoming Meth Abuse.

There was a good starting representation of the community attending, both parents with a child into meth as well as former users, a couple of members from the general public and a couple of members from law enforcement — all concerned citizens on a personal level, hopefully from the heart.

We are all one in the community. The discussion was lively and informational, done without judgment, rebuttals or emotion. I think those who were willing to share felt listened to. I know as the chair of the spiritual outreach for COMA working in the Moffat County Jail and outside in the community, I sense a deep pain in our community and gained a deeper understanding revolving around this issue.

It was brought out during the meeting that meth seems to be on the increase in our community. This statement coming from the former users and some research data recently presented. The issue of increasing meth use was brought out in a report given to the City Council back in late winter 2008 by the El Pomar Foundation, which completed a study on the Impacts of Energy Development of the five Northwest counties.

It was mentioned that meth is on the increase in Moffat County. Sad indeed. Was the increase due to the population growth or is it increasing in the per capita base? Or is it both? It was not identified in the study. What is generating this demand, for the user and the dealer alike, is my question.

I can treat symptoms all I want and yet not “cure” the perceived problem. It is hard to look at the reality of the situation through the pain — its like attempting to look at the world in front of me with dirty lenses.

As long as there is a demand (user), there will be a dealer, both hurting because of whatever it is underlying their drive. If I hear everyone right and from the ears of my heart, it’s soon to be High Noon in Moffat County.

This means metaphorically, it’s time for us as a community to quit hanging onto the bull by his tail. We need to get from the bull’s tail, where we keep getting kicked (symptoms) and work our way up to the steering position (demand), getting the bull by the horns.

The journey of getting there will not be easy, so let’s not kid ourselves. It’s going to be quite a wrestling match. If you don’t believe me, go watch a steer wrestling match, and in this case, having the animal uncastorated!

It means getting at the heart of what is driving that drug abuse and understanding how such feelings are integrated into the whole person.

We’ve been told that meth knows no boundaries, as it just was featured on the front page of the Daily Press in Thursday’s issue. The demon (of demand) can hit any organization, whether private, public, church, charity or individual.

They are all made up of humans. It can grab a loved one, a spouse, a friend, a neighbor or a community member. It loves us all. Yes, meth (and other drugs and addictive behaviors) is a symptom of the deeper problem; however, drugs and their distribution are not the cause of the problem. The need to use already is there before creation and distribution.

It’s a supply item, a need to inebriate something within the deeper inner core of ourselves, not the cause.

What is the real problem? I personally think that to attack this need to use drugs requires going from inside out and not from outside in. Not from the intellectual point (head) but from the heart and spirit in addition to working with the person as one integrated whole: mind, body, soul and spirit.

Again, I thank everyone who participated at Thursday’s High Noon meeting.

Let’s keep the black train from running over us or gobbling us up and keep the dialog going. COMA’s Board of Directors needs your input. Bring a loved one, friend, a neighbor, coworker, your boss or supervisor, a community member-at-large or a stranger.

Let the Board hear from your hearts.

Help them solve some issues such as “Is available treatment meeting needs? what are the gaps? What causes meth use?

Bring in your thoughts, concerns and issues, as well. I personally think the long, black train has arrived at High Noon. The next COMA meeting will be at High Noon, July 31.

May the peace and healing of the Creator be with you all.

F. Neil Folks

A Concerned father, grandpa,

and community citizen