Theron Miller Project Leader
Lisa Outka-Perkins Project Leader
Damien Hoffman Project Assistant
Coming across the unexpected adds variety to field work, but variety is no benefit if you come across a methamphetamine (meth) lab. Unfortunately, the chances that Forest Service employees might come across meth users, labs, or waste is real and the consequences can be severe. Anything associated with meth production or use can get you hurt—or worse.
The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) was asked to develop materials that could be used to train Forest Service field employees. Specifically, the center was asked to prepare compelling tools that instructors could use when building awareness about the hazards of meth users, labs, and waste in the national forests, offering some commonsense suggestions that could help employees stay safe.
The "Methamphetamine in the Forests: Safety and Awareness Training" program is a collection of resources. Individuals can explore these resources on their own or instructors can use the resources in presentations or include them with their own training materials. The main program is a Flash Media presentation (figure 1) that allows viewers to select the information that’s most appealing to them. The Flash presentation can be viewed online at http://fsweb.mtdc.wo.fs.fed.us/pubs/flash/fla07672F03/.
Figure 1—The opening screen of the Flash Media presentation.
A CD (0767–2C04–MTDC) that includes the training program (figure 2) can be ordered by sending an e-mail request with your mailing address and phone number to: wo_mtdc_ pubs@fs.fed.us. The CD and Web site also include Adobe Acrobat (pdf) files that allow the information in the program to be printed and an abbreviated PowerPoint version of the presentation with speaker's notes (figure 3).
Figure 2—The CD, which can be ordered from MTDC, includes the
Flash Media presentation and training aids. The materials can also
be downloaded.
Figure 3—The PowerPoint version of the presentation with the speaker's
notes.
The presentation includes eight topics:
- Using this presentation—Explains how to
navigate through the Flash Media presentation.
- Introduction—Describes
the focus and objectives of the presentation.
- What is meth?—Covers
basic facts about meth, how it is made, the types of toxic wastes it creates,
and how it affects users.
- How big is the problem?—Examines
the extent of meth use, the numbers of clandestine meth labs
found in each State, and recent changes in the use
and production of the drug.
- How could meth impact my job?—Describes
how meth users, labs, and waste are moving
into national forests and grasslands and the
problems they are creating for many Forest
Service employees—not just those working in law
enforcement.
- What should I watch out for?—Details the
specific items and telltale signs that alert you to
the presence of meth users, labs, or waste.
- What should I do?—Describes work practices that can keep you safe if you encounter suspected meth users, labs, or waste.
About the Authors
Theron Miller received his Ph.D. in forestry from the University of Montana in 1997 with an emphasis in natural resources social science. He worked as a research and teaching professor at the University of Montana, focusing on applied social sciences directly related to the management of natural resources on public lands. Theron joined MTDC in 2006 and works as a project leader in the safety and health, recreation, and fire and aviation management programs.
Lisa Outka-Perkins received her master's degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminology from the University of Montana in 2001. She works for MTDC as a sociologist. Her most recent project has been the production of the Forest Service training videos program: "Personal Safety in Remote Work Locations," which includes "Module 1: General Awareness" (0167–2V02–MTDC); "Module 2: Supervisor Responsibilities" (0267–2V01–MTDC); "Module 3: Avoiding Trouble" (0367–2V03–MTDC); and "Module 4: Building Trust in Small Towns" (0567–2V01–MTDC).
Damien Hoffman manages MTDC's Web site and tackles other audiovisual tasks for the center. He joined MTDC in 2004 while working part time as a student at the University of Montana. He has bachelor's degrees in sociology from the University of Minnesota-Morris and in wildlife biology from the University of Montana.
Electronic copies of MTDC's documents are available on the Internet at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/t-d.php
For additional information about methamphetamine in
the national forests, contact Theron Miller at MTDC:
Phone: 406–829–6805
Fax: 406–329–3719
E-mail: theronmiller@fs.fed.us
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management employees can search a more complete collection of MTDC's documents, videos, and CDs on their internal computer networks at:
