Part A - Society for Public Health Education

Helping Communities CombatClandestine Methamphetamine LaboratoriesPart A: An Educational Toolkit for Health EducatorsCommunity Action Guide:Mobilizing Your Community to Combatthe Methamphetamine ProblemThe main goal of this toolkit is to provide information and tools for you to helpcommunities combat methamphetamine (meth) and minimize its devastatingimpact on the community. Community coalitions unite s communities, increasepublic awareness about meth-related issues, and enable community members towork together toward a common goal of building a safe, healthy, and drug-freecommunity. What follows is guidance about how to start a coalition and a sampleof tools for communicating the coalition’s (or other community action group’s)message.© 2007 Society for Public Health EducationFor many communities across the United States, the desire to respond to the growingproblem of meth manufacture and use has already brought people together toform meth prevention coalitions or task forces. If you are not already aware of sucha group in your community, contact your local law enforcement and fire departments,health department, department of environmental quality, emergency medicalservices or hospitals, or local businesses (e.g., drugstores, farm supply stores,grocery stores) to research if your community has already established a coalition.If your community has an antidrug coalition, this toolkit can help you assist andstrengthen the coalition’s efforts. If your community does not have a coalition, thetoolkit can help you form one. Additional information and resources can be foundon the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Web site, http://cadca.org/, and the CADCA National Coalition Institute Web site, http://www.coalitioninstitute.org.Before starting a coalition, remember that community mobilization is a process.Coalitions are not effective and efficient overnight; they require dedication, time,and flexibility.Part A: An Educational Toolkit for Health Educators61