Get Help Now: 1-833-END-METH (833-363-6384)
SMART:
Stopping Methamphetamine Among Rural Teens
A project by NWF Health Network, in partnership with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, DISC Village, & 211 Big Bend
WHY HERE, WHY NOW
While the rates of methamphetamine usage nationwide have decreased in the last decade, use in rural communities has increased as the drug has become less expensive and easier to acquire. In communities that have been impacted significantly by methamphetamine usage, some may view the drug as minimally harmful because they see people around them using the drug and leading apparently normal lives. Teenagers are especially susceptible to the idea that they are invincible, in part because the threat of long-term consequences does not resonate with them.
SMART LEADERSHIP
Rural North Florida has seen an increase in methamphetamine usage and arrests among teenagers and young adults in recent years, so community leaders came together to try something new to address the problem. With the leadership of Franklin County Sheriff “A.J.” Tony Smith and the expertise of NWF Health Network CEO Mike Watkins, the SMART project was born. This project brings together community leaders from across Calhoun, Franklin, Holmes, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Washington counties to empower residents in their communities to identify when teens are at risk of trying methamphetamine and arming residents with the resources to help.
ABOUT NWF HEALTH NETWORK
NWF Health Network (NWF Health) serves as the Network Management agency for child protection and substance abuse and mental health (behavioral health) services in northwest Florida. Our sole purpose is to provide the highest quality child protection, substance abuse and mental health services to children, adults and their families within their communities through a managed network of accredited providers. We serve as a centralized source of resources and support for our community and agency partners. Our agency is far more than an administrative office, however. At NWF Health, we strive to develop relationships with our children and families so we can provide them with the individualized attention they need. We believe that children have the right to grow up safe, healthy, and fulfilled in families that love and nurture them – and – that the children, adults, and elders in our communities deserve exceptional behavioral health services that meet their needs.