Partnership hosts methamphetamine conference

Residents can learn about the dangers of methamphetamine use and its effects on the community at a program Thursday.

Partnership of Community Resources, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California are sponsoring "Let's Talk About Methamphetamine" 6-8 p.m. Jan. 26 from at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church in Gardnerville. Admission is free and pizza and salad will be served. Free baby-sitting is provided by the Family Support Council.

The lecture series is a collaborative effort to get everyone involved and the night-time format for a lecture series is a good way to get families to attend, said prevention coordinator Martie Washington.

"The target audience is the entire community," said Washington. "We'd love it if 150 people came. This is a topic that catches people's attention."

Brian Wallace, chairman of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, opens the program which features a talk by Sheriff Ron Pierini and Partnership director Cheryl Bricker.

"Sheriff Pierini has been part of this from the beginning," Bricker said. "Everyone wants a safe community. It's cool that we have a sheriff who gets involved in community events. He comes to planning meetings and gives opinions. We're lucky."

A representative from the Tri-Net narcotics task force of Carson, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties will describe methamphetamine and its dangers.

Carson City author Ellen Hopkins will discuss her book "Crank" that gives a perspective of her daughter's addiction.

Also on hand are Scarselli Elementary School counselor Dawn Hare and Doug Swalm from the alternative sentencing program.

The partnership is seeking non-perishable food donations to benefit the Carson Valley Community Food Closet.

Winners for the partnership's holiday card contest will be announced. Students from area schools submitted designs to be used for next year's holiday cards.

The symposium is the second in a series of events sponsored by Partnership of Community Resources. The next topic, "Underage Drinking," is planned for March 28. For more information, call Partnership of Community Resources at 782-8611.

What: "Let's Talk About Methamphetamine", sponsored by Partnership of Community Resources

Where: Carson Valley United Methodist Church,

1375 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville Ranchos

When: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 26

Info: 782-8611 or on the Web at partnership-resource.org