Coleman to discuss meth impact in Albert Lea

Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 3, 2005

Tribune staff reports

Sen. Norm Coleman announced Wednesday he will hold a listening session Friday in Albert Lea to discuss the impact of methamphetamine on Minnesota communities. The session will be from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Albert Lea City Center, 221 E. Clark St.

During the meetings, which are open to the public, Coleman will meet with panelists representing the areas of drug treatment, education, prevention, intervention and law enforcement. Coleman will also discuss his legislative efforts against meth, such as the Combat Meth Act of 2005 and the establishment of the Coleman Meth Task Force in Minnesota.

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&8220;I look forward to meeting with those in the community who deal with the meth problem first-hand and are concerned with its destructive impact,&8221; said Coleman. &8220;Meth is a community killer, and it will take the work of those on every level – from teachers, parents, local law enforcement and elected officials – to combat its destructive effects. While we have taken steps in the Senate to begin fighting this epidemics, it is crucial that we remain committed to fighting meth in Minnesota and throughout the country.&8221;

The senate recently approved a bill coauthored by Sen. Coleman called the Combat Meth Act of 2005. The bill requires cold medicines containing meth-making ingredients to be stored behind the counter and limits the amount a person can buy in a single purchase, creates a national meth treatment center, and authorizes $43 million for meth enforcement, training and research.

In September, Coleman unveiled the Coleman Meth Task Force, a group comprised of law enforcement officials, treatment workers, health care professionals, school nurses and other concerned citizens.

The panel set up for Friday’s listening session will include: Steve Hubbard, president of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Youth Program; Jerry Ehn, administrator, Fountain Center of Albert Lea; Jim Siegel, president, United Way of Freeborn County Board of Directors; Trish Reedstrom, supervisor, Blue Earth County Social Services; Corey Farris, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and South Central Drug Investigation Unit; and Rep. Dan Dorman (27-A).