A Harrisonburg-based coalition is working to combat methamphetamine use offering “a beacon of hope” to combat the crisis.
In an area once called the “methamphetamine capital of the East Coast,” the resources should assist in efforts to bring down use among teens and young adults.
Faces 4 Change, part of the Youth Popular Culture Institute, released a Meth Amphetamine Prevention, or M.A.P., bundle including a brochure, fact sheet, toolkit, presentation slides and a video designed to assist anyone who works in substance use prevention, intervention and treatment.
The bundle covers the dangers, warning signs, side effects and consequences of using the highly addictive drug.
Youth in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County report using meth more than the national average, according to a 2020 national survey, and according to the toolkit, it is the primary drug of choice among teens and young adults in the region.
“An alarming number of youth in our area have tried and/or are using meth,” said P. Thandi Hicks Harper, PhD and F4C project director. “F4C is making a concerted effort to distribute resources and information to reverse the trends.”
Meth can have long-term effects on users including insomnia, memory loss, aggression, paranoia, anxiety, irritability, and depression, as well as skin sores and dental problems.
The bundle, released during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October, is geared toward youth organizations, community health and wellness agencies, law enforcement and those who work in education arenas.
The project has been in development for nearly two years. The M.A.P. bundle was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To view or download the M.A.P. bundle, visit www.faces4changeva.org/meth-bundle
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Crystal Graham
