Eight State Meth Initiative

Background

Methamphetamine remains one of the most compelling and challenging problems facing America?s families and communities. The private and public sector, including local, state, tribal, and the federal government continue to face the social and economic consequences of methamphetamine use. The insidious reach of this drug engages more stakeholders and has led law enforcement to conclude that it is the number one law enforcement problem facing our nation. However, as with any challenge, we are also given an opportunity to rethink and redesign the ways in which different systems work together to produce positive change.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) of the U.S. Department of Justice places a high priority on reducing the impact of methamphetamine production, distribution and use nationwide. In partnership with prevention and treatment, the COPS office seeks to advance community policing practices that promote collaboration, problem solving and systems change. The COPS Eight State Combat Meth Initiative targets states where the Governor's Office commits to lead a statewide planning and implementation process to combat methamphetamine. Other federal partners include the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Key Strategies

  • A Committed Governor's Office to Drive Change
  • Statewide Systems Planning and Local Coalition Building
  • Comprehensive Strategies: Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement
  • Mobilization and Coordination of All Sectors
  • Promotion of Effective Media and Communications Strategies
  • Promotion of Innovative and Creative Policies and Programs
  • Provide Outcomes that Reflect Evidence-based Strategies
  • Data-driven Planning and Assessment
  • Integration of Meth into the Broader Statewide Substance Abuse Strategy
  • Policy and Practice to be Determined by Measurable Outcomes and Public Health/Safety Impacts.

Processes

  • Scanning and Analysis: Establishing the Baseline
  • Problem Solving: Prioritizing Statewide and Local Problems, Barriers and Solutions
  • Response: Action Planning, Implementation, and Mobilization of Resources
  • Assessment: Getting to Outcomes

Support provided by TA provider

  • Assessment of Current Status, Opportunities and Challenges
  • Technical Assistance to the Governor's Office (Office of Drug Control Policy) and State Meth Task Force
  • Design and Facilitate a Statewide Mobilization Planning Process
  • Prioritized Recommendations for Each Content Area Impacted by Methamphetamine
  • Formal Action Plan with Tasks, Timelines, Responsible Agent and Measurable Outcomes
  • Provide Accountability System to Report on Outcomes and Impact Measures
  • Introduce Methpedia.org as a Clearinghouse of Information and Best Practices
  • Online Training Vehicle, Particularly for Rural Jurisdictions
  • Peer-to-Peer Learning Cohort for the Eight States Selected for the Project

Who is Leading the Initiative?

Strategic Applications International, LLC and its principals and consultants have worked with the COPS Office, DEA, and SAMHSA over the last ten years on a series of meth-related projects that includes 20 State Methamphetamine Summits; Methpedia.org, a new online resource to promote information sharing and stimulate local action; and facilitating a national forum on Crystal Meth and the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

James E. Copple has a long and distinguished career in education, substance abuse, and crime and violence prevention. A nationally recognized speaker and writer in this field, Mr. Copple has served as the Founding President of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the National Crime Prevention Council in Washington, D.C., and most recently, Director of the International Institute for Alcohol Awareness for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation.

Over the past ten years, Mr. Copple has designed and facilitated 20 state-wide summits on Methamphetamine Prevention and Enforcement, numerous summits on violence prevention, gun prevention, and comprehensive planning on alcohol prevention among underage youth. He has delivered major addresses in every state of the union and spoken in twelve different nations, including a major facilitation between the Israel and the Palestinian Authority on youth substance abuse and violence prevention. Mr. Copple has authored two major pieces of legislation, the Drug Free Communities Act and the Crime Free Rural State and Communities Act in the Department of Justice Reauthorization Bill. He regularly consults with states and communities on model state statutes and local ordinances related to drug abuse, gang violence, and underage drinking.

Colleen K. Copple has co-facilitated 20 statewide planning summits on Methamphetamine in cooperation with the DEA, SAMHSA, and the COPS Office. She is currently doing a comprehensive statewide Meth Action Plan for the State of Indiana. Ms. Copple is a senior research fellow for the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research (SIPR). Currently, she contracts with the Community Capacity Development Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice where she provides support for the Weed and Seed program.

Prior to joining SIPR in January 2004, Ms. Copple served as Senior Advisor for New Initiatives at the National Crime Prevention Council where she oversaw a major project with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to develop communities of practice on Methamphetamine-related issues for the Midwestern Governors? Conference as a follow up to the Meth Summit and launched the Methamphetamine Clearinghouse.