Lakes Area Meth Prevention Program meeting draws crowd

Area law officers recently attended the second meeting of the Lakes Area Meth Prevention Program last week.

The organization was initiated to address the issue of drug abuse, focusing on relapse prevention and treatment for those with drug abuse problems. Organization members said they want to work with youths and adolescents who are in treatment, with youth in the community and with area treatment providers.

The organization's founders are Steve Sell and Tanya Rono.

Law enforcement officials who attended the second meeting were Chief Kim Coughlin and Capt. Rick Koop of the Crosby Police Department. Also attending were Zachariah Johnson, Dave Hermerding of the Crow Wing County prosecutor's office, Preston Windorski of Crow Wing County Probation, Kaye Wilson of Crow Wing County Drug Court, Bonnie Shipman of the Focus Unit, Katherine Rono from Aurora, Rose Hauge of Addressing Responding, Managing Meth and other Substances. About 30 other concerned citizens also attended the meeting.