The Southwest Minnesota Meth Task Force has been resurrected with the main mission of public awareness and treatment effectiveness. 

Task Force representative Christine Mann, Luverne, updated Rock County Commissioners at their regular meeting Tuesday.

She said the Task Force is a joint effort involving Nobles-Rock Community Health, Rock County Sheriff’s Department, local merchants and the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force.

Sheriff Evan Verbrugge said the group was organized six years ago but has dissolved over the last few years. Its initial work involved putting pseudophedrine (used in cooking meth) behind counters.

Task Force members also worked with local stores to keep them aware of other meth tools and ingredients. Verbrugge said such communication between businesses and his department has continued.

“The (public) education is the biggest aspect,” Verbrugge said of the group. “Christine has been really good in getting things going.” 

Mann, a chemical dependency counselor for Southwest Mental Health Center, said although meth labs are less frequent, use is up — mainly due to imports from Mexico.

“This is why I wanted the group to reconvene; 90 percent of my group are meth users,” Mann said.

In these addictive scenarios, the personal effects are devastating and public costs substantial.

Mann referenced a 2004 study done through Nobles-Rock Community Health that said an average “mom and pop” operation bust could total more than $150,000. 

She also said that this total has gone up over the years involving social services, law enforcement, cleanup and court costs. 

Verbrugge said that the recent drug arrests in Rock County are repeat offenders.

The Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force is the No. 1 drug task force in the state, according to Minnesota Gang and Drug Task Force officials.

The BRDT has been active with combating meth production and use and has met with the newly reconvened group.

“We appreciate that you’re taking action in this … and not just with the labs,” Commissioner Chair Jane Wildung Lanphere said.

Residents who notice suspicious activity are encouraged to call the Rock County Sheriff’s Department. The non-emergency phone number is 283-5000.

Through BRDT’s Tip411 text program, you can also send an anonymous, untraceable drug tip by texting to “Tip411” (847411).