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Local Group Discusses Great Falls Drug Problem

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Mar 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM MST

You might not have heard of them, but one local group is working behind the scenes to help make a big difference in our community.

The Windy Area Safety Health Work Group met earlier this afternoon – kicking off a monthly lunch-time tradition – and today’s topic of discussion was one of great concern for North Central Montanans.

Commonly referred to as “WASH,” the group’s mission statement is to provide a forum for the sharing of resources, ideas and information regarding safety and health issues.

Today’s topic was the drug problem in our area – which of course touched on the hot button issue of prescription drug abuse and medical marijuana.

“Remember, federally, marijuana is a schedule 1 drug. Federally, it is not recognized for having any medical uses,” remarked Detective Brian Black of the Great Falls Police Department’s Street Crime Unit.

That discrepancy is causing some major issues in places like Great Falls – where medical marijuana is available.

"Subsidized housing - subsidized by who? Federal government,” Det. Black said, “Well, if you live in subsidized housing and you get your marijuana card, right now the housing department's handling that as - if you have a medical marijuana card and you're living in federally subsidized housing - you're out."

“The law isn’t defined – there’s so many loopholes and variables that haven’t been considered yet,” expressed Jamey Wheeler of the WASH Group.

One of those loopholes that has many concerned is the issue of secondhand marijuana smoke – especially among children.

“Just like any medicine – I think that if you’re prescribed a medicine that you should be keeping that medicine to yourself. So in the case of a 2 year old being exposed because his father’s smoking and blowing smoke into his face, he’s distributing that prescription to the 2 year old and I think that should be unlawful,” Wheeler told NewsChannel 5.

Besides medical marijuana, the abuse of prescription drugs has become an increasingly significant problem in our area – with some calling it “the new meth problem”.

“In 2008 there were an estimated 350 prescription drug related deaths,” said Det. Black.

“That’s more than highway accidents – that’s catastrophic, really,” remarked Keith Wing of the WASH group.

If you'd like to join these WASH meetings, they occur on the third Tuesday of every month at noon at Rikki's Pizza and Pasta located on 9th St. South.

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Brinna Nanda said on Friday, Mar 19 at 11:55 AM

So why is Law Enforcement conflating marijuana use with prescription drug use? Because then they can refer to "drugged driving" as being a problem, and people will assume that marijuana is the "drug" in question. In fact, it is driving under the influence of prescription drugs that is on the rise and which increasingly presents itself in post-accident drug screenings (putting aside cannabinoids metabolites which remain in the system for days or even weeks, long after the disappearance of any driving impairment.)

Anthony said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 8:04 PM

There has never EVER been a death caused by the specific use or overuse of marijuana. This drug is not even comparable to meth and this argument is silly, this sheriff needs to study up a little before he says people are dying from marijuana

Open Minded said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 6:37 AM

First of all, Det Black's presentation was about prescription drug abuse (oxy, methadone, etc) - not medical marijuana which was made to seem the main topic by the reporter. The medical marijuana questions were brought up after by the group. He also has valid points in that regardless on how you feel about MM, Federal law and State law do conflict with each other and the state legislators did not cover all these problems when they passed the law. People need to relax and see that there are some valid issues here that need to be addressed.

Robbie said on Wednesday, Mar 17 at 6:22 AM

They are just a group of people who are afraid and took reefer madness for fact when they watched it in health class. They also believe the federal goverment will protect them and would do nothing to harm them, let alone cover it up.

Steve said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 10:50 PM

Kudo's to all post's. Nothing more to be said. Add me to the list that see good in mmj. You should be more concerned with the OXY problem here. and I'M NOT KIDDING!

The Healing Center Montana said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 7:35 PM

WRONG WRONG WRONG YOU WILL NOT BE EVICTED! NO ONE HAS YET IN MONTANA! Michigan V.A, recognizes Legal Medical marijuana. THE FEDERAL GOVERMENT OWNS THE PATENT TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA! Patent # 6,630,507 B1 date oct 7 2003 DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT!!! The university of Mississippi have been growing it for over 25yrs for federal patients! It appears this Detective Black enjoys scare tactics! They have proven you CAN NOT get HIGH from second hand cannabis smoke! IN 2008 there were over 2000 deaths in U.S. from over the counter ASPIRIN! We better out law ASPIRIN next!!! Fear mongering, scare tactics, lies,false information that was what I read here. If you want the TRUTH about medical cannabis please visit us. We are registered NON PROFITS with the state of Montana Michael J. Smith Executive Director www.thehealingcentermt.org www.sensiblemontana.org www.montanahempfarmers.org

Anonymous said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 7:34 PM

Yeah, all those marijuana related domestic abuse cases, killer car accidents and violent crimes are getting out of hand...oh, wait, no they're not. Wise up folks, pot smokers are your relatives, your bank tellers and your co-workers, probibly even your boss! Discresion around children is an understandable consern, but come on, only a low life would blow it in a kids face, but who hasn't enjoyed a cocktail or a ciggarette around thier kids. Is that low life? I like any group with goals of bettering the community, and that starts with bucking the Feds and making polotics local!

MontanaMMJPatient said on Tuesday, Mar 16 at 7:07 PM

I like the idea, but I dont think the problem here is prescription drugs or MMJ. You guys have to accept MMJ and its benefits, how many of you are concerned of second hand tobacco smoke that plagues everyone. And when he said federally itsstill a schedule I drug are we talking about the same federal government hats about to send us even further in the hole with a ridiculous health care bill

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