The United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties Annual Campaign presentation is available upon request.
Staff and volunteers are available to bring the presentation to your business or organization.
Please call the United Way office to set up the date and time.

Two years ago a United Way Community Needs Survey revealed that “drug use” and “youth substance abuse” were top concerns of residents of Douglas County.

As a result, the United Way Board of Directors decided to address the issue of “Meth” in our community.  A committee was formed to address the drug issue use.  Members of the committee include local law enforcement, social services, public health, crisis center, education, court systems, medical, concerned community members and United Way.  These members have been meeting and collaborating to address the issue.  If you would like to be a part of this committee please call the United Way office at 763-4840. 
 

National Meth Awareness Day - November 30, 2006

The United States Department of Justice designated November 30, 2006, as the inaugural National Methamphetamine Awareness Day.  Officials from the Department of Justice hosted educational presentations around the country.  The Department also partnered with state and local law enforcement colleagues, community partners and state and local leaders in this effort.

 In response Heart of Lakes United Way sponsored a community Meth Awareness Forum which was held on November 30, 2006, at 7:00 pm at Alexandria Tech College in the auditorium of the Office & Information Technology Building which is located on the south side of the main campus.

 Members of the forum included:

• Chief Deputy Sheriff Troy Wolbersen who is also a member of the West Central MN Drug Task Force

• Detective Chad Schroeder of the Alexandria Police Dept

• Douglas County Attorney Chris Karpan

• Nancy Klepetka D.C., who will offer suggestions of what to look for as a parent

• Mark Foss, a former addict who has overcome his addiction

• Deb Dittberner MD, Family Medicine

• John Heydt, School District 206

• Mike Woods, Social Services

• Carol Meissner, Public Health

The forum was open to the public and there was no charge for admission.  Attendees had a chance to address the panel regarding meth and other addictions.   

If you weren't able to attend the forum, we have made audio clips available below from the panelists as they shared their information regarding meth and other drug addictions in our community.  At the end of the forum each person also shared some closing comments which are also available.  You may either listen to them online or download them as an MP3 file to listen to at your convenience. 
 

Note that the above does not include the questions
that were addressed to the panel by the people attending the forum. 

         Meth Awareness Day Poster - Pdf
 

David Parnell - November 28 & 29, 2005

Education is the key to reducing the number of new users.  Heart of Lakes United Way along with 3M and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office sponsored a nationally recognized speaker, David Parnell, on November 28 & 29^, 2005, at Lake Geneva Christian Center.  David also gave his presentation to help educate students in several local schools. It was a great opportunity for kids and parents together to hear his story and hopefully helped to open up the lines of communication for them. 

David told his story of the devastation meth brought to his life and how his battle with the drug led him to try to take his life.  It was a powerful story that increased education and awareness of this powerful drug that is affecting our friends and neighbors.  You may visit his website at www.facingthedragon.org for further information.   We all have a responsibility to get involved and be a part of the cure.  We are all in this together.

Email the Webmaster with questions or comments about this Web site.