Hot Springs holds meth meeting

HOT SPRINGS - Tuesday night marked the tenth meeting Hot Springs residents have had in the Public Library to start combating what they see as a prevalent meth/drug problem in the area.

Previously started by a concerned citizen, recently Luke and Serina Troy have taken over the group, and have decided to spearhead the group’s attempts to counter the meth problem in Hot Springs and the surrounding area. The group calls itself “Hot Springs Community Awareness.”

Still in the beginning stages, the group started in January, and is working out certain kinks in leadership positions and who is in charge of different issues. A sense of strong dedication was expressed by the Troys and other group members, who were adamant at the Tuesday meeting that they would not fade away or quit their attempts to curb the meth problem.

Serina Troy said, “The main focus of the group is to get to the kids before they get to the drugs.” The Troys, who themselves were once meth users, but are now clean and have a young daughter, explained that they know what meth does to a family and want to do everything in their capabilities to protect their daughter.

On March 10th, Luke Troy visited the school and gave a talk to students at an assembly, who ranged from 5th grade up to high school seniors, on the dangers of meth and his own personal experiences. “We are going to try and get that on a regular schedule,” said Serina Troy, who explained that the school’s and student’s reception to the talk was well received, and that Luke has been asked to come back.

In addition to Luke Troy’s visits to the school, there was talk of having students at the school making a sign to post in the community saying the town is a drug free town.

Throughout the meeting, other actions to take were discussed to fight what many community members voiced as a growing problem. Some attendees stood and with a strong fervor said that a public sign with known dealer and user names should be placed out for everyone to see. Others argued that it would not work and the most important thing was to educate the children, and that a meth user will always be a user.

One such action that gained a lot of attention and the group had already had some progress in is a community center, which they believe will help get children off the streets and be a place for families to come together. Serina Troy said, “The tribe has said we don’t need to go and get any grants and they will pay for everything as long as we get things rolling.” She explained that due to zoning permits, the tribe has the opportunity to make such a center without government involvement.

The group is also in the beginning stages of starting a fundraiser to set up a small park behind LuHua Odekirk’s Zen Garden Cafe, where children and teenagers could play. Lindley Emmert, another prevalent member of the group, decided to take on the task of setting up the fundraiser.

Something the group also decided upon was to have the members and the public write down and make a record of every suspicious or known illegal act they see. In Serina Troy’s opinion, the community sees 90% of everything that happens.

At the end of the meeting, to encourage people to stay committed to the cause, the Troys asked everyone to come back in two weeks with five obtainable goals for the foreseeable future that they think they could help achieve. Individuals stepped up to take on certain roles to either call the tribe or contact and work with schools. The next meeting will be in the Hot Springs Public Library, March 31st.