Brainerd Lakes Real Estate News

  We recently had a  Red Ribbon Week  in the Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota which culminated with a community forum at the Heritage Assembly of God Church in Baxter.  The forum was sponsored by the Operations ARMMS,  which stands for Addressing, Responding, Managing Meth and other Substances.  This was formerly known as the Meth Coalition.

     Rose Hauge, Crow Wing County substance abuse prevention specialist said that in a 2004 survey of Crow Wing County high school seniors: 15 percent of males and 9.6 percent of females had used marijuana in the past 30 days, 39.9 percent of males and 40.6 percent of females had used alcohol in the last 30 days and 6 percent of males and 1 percent of females had used methamphetamine in the past 12 months.  Hauge said Crow Wing County numbers were lower that most other Minnesota counties. By the time they get to their college years these numbers  increase.

                                                                                                               photo by SuperFantastic 

     The community forum  addressed all  forms of substance abuse and addictions.

     We are surrounded by addicts and they are ourselves, our neighbors and our children. Alcohol, tobacco products, prescription and illegal drugs are all capable of provoking an additive response in our bodies.  We have a growing problem with meth labs setups and gang activity.  Our bars are busy at all times of the day and  all days of the week.  This is the reason we need to gather together in support of the Teen Challenge Program  which is coming to the Brainerd Lakes Area.  We have a problem here and they have a proven track record of success.