FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 9, 2004

CONTACT: Stephanie Tveidt, 605-773-3213

Gov. Rounds appoints a team to combat meth problem

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds announced today the appointment of a Statewide Methamphetamine Task Force who will develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive statewide strategy to mitigate the growing methamphetamine problem in South Dakota.

“This special task force is intended to improve the coordination of local and state efforts ensuring that a comprehensive strategy exits for all of South Dakota,” said Rounds. “We are experiencing a tremendous growth in the manufacture and use of Meth,” said Rounds.  “It devastates the life of the user, and the presence of secret labs poses significant danger to neighbors, law enforcement, and emergency responders.”

The 33-member task force is effective immediately and will continue until June 30, 2005.  The members were chosen from a variety of fields and specialties including the areas of Law Enforcement, Child Welfare, Health, Education, Drug and Alcohol and Judicial.  The Department of Human Services will provide administrative support for the task force.

“I very much appreciate the willingness of these individuals to give their time and talents to serve on this important task force,” Rounds said.

Areas of focus for the group will include:

·       Manufacture of methamphetamine;

·       Environmental clean-up;

·       Law enforcement;

·       Child welfare;

·       Medical and psychiatric implications;

·       Awareness; and

·       Prevention and treatment services.

Members of the task force include:

·       Keith Bonenberger, Unified Judicial System, Pierre;

·       Larry Long, Attorney General, Pierre;

·       Kevin Thom, Division of Criminal Investigation, Pierre;

·       Connie Larson, Attorney General’s Office, Sioux Falls;

·       Dan Limoges, Union County Sheriff, Elk Point;

·       Doug Barthel, Sioux Falls Police Department, Sioux Falls;

·       Craig Tieszen, Rapid City Police Department, Rapid City;

·       David Glenn, Dakotas Program Coordinator, Sioux Falls;

·       Steve Hummel, Drug Enforcement Agency, Sioux Falls;

·       Richard Bird, Dakotah Pride Treatment Center, Sisseton;

·       Corey Hairy Shirt, Little Hoop Lodge, Mission;

·       Bill Smith, Sioux Falls School District, Sioux Falls;

·       April Genovese, Custer;

·       Paula Wilkinson-Smith, Lifeways, Rapid City;

·       Jeremy Bucholtz, Capital Area Counseling, Pierre;

·       Doug Austin, City/County Alcohol and Drug, Rapid City;

·       Darcy Jensen, Prairie View Prevention, Sioux Falls;

·       Dodi Haug, Northeastern Prevention Resource Center, Watertown;

·       Dr. Mary Carpenter, Winner;

·       Chris Lippert, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, Mitchell;

·       Dr. Sara Flynn, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sioux Falls;

·       Duane Majeres, Community Counseling Services, Huron;

·       Stacey Nickels, Human Services Center, Yankton

·       Melita Valandra, Department of Interior/BIA, Ft. Thompson.

·       Tom Dravland, Department of Public Safety, Pierre;

·       Bob Coolidge, Department of Health, Pierre;

·       Rick Lancaster, Department of Environment and Natural Resource, Pierre;

·       Chauntel Taggart, Department of Social Services, Pierre;

·       Rick Melmer, Department of Education, Pierre;

·       Doug Clark, Department of Corrections, Sioux Falls;

·       Kevin Fridley, Department of Agriculture, Pierre;

·       Douglas Quarve, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Rapid City; and

·       Betty Oldenkamp, Department of Human Services, Pierre.

The Statewide Methamphetamine Task Force’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb.24, 2004, 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CST) at the Holiday Inn Express in Ft. Pierre.

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