It all began when Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. visited the House of Hope, a drug rehabilitation center in Salt Lake City that provides treatment to mothers whose lives have been overcome by addiction.

"The governor listened to the women tell stories about how meth had taken over their lives, and [he] gained a great deal of sympathy for them," said Maike Jones, one of Huntsman's communications assistants. "It has become a very personal and emotional issue for the governor."

In recent months, Huntsman has communicated a strong resolution to minimize Utah's growing methamphetamine addiction problem.

"Meth addiction is a huge problem in this state and we need to get control of it," Huntsman said recently while meeting with some BYU social work students.

Jones said Huntsman was especially moved by the story of a young woman who was advised by a friend to start using meth as a way to lose 15 pounds before her wedding. The woman didn't even know what meth was, but tried it once and got hooked. Jones pointed out that the woman should be enjoying being a newlywed; instead, she is spending her time trying to recover from addiction.

Huntsman encouraged lawmakers to do more to help people suffering from addiction in many different settings. In his State of the State address, he proposed funding increases for drug courts, courts that specifically deal with addiction and rehabilitation programs. Since then, Huntsman has consistently promoted awareness of, and prevention against, what has been called "Utah's drug of choice."

Darrell Noble, director of the House of Hope in Provo, said 65 percent of the women at the facility were there because of meth addiction. He said women are attracted to the drug because its effects include weight loss and an extreme amount of energy.

Noble said a lot of people don't think addiction is a big problem in Utah County. The waiting list to get into the facility proves otherwise. The center admits as many women as it has rooms. Women often have to wait several weeks before there is an opening because admission is based on need. Priority is given to mothers who are pregnant and using the drug.

Noble said the longer the addicts go to therapy, the better the chance of recovery. He said Huntsman's determination in fighting meth addiction has made a difference.

"Meth addiction is a huge problem and we appreciate all the governor is doing to bring the needed attention to this issue," Noble said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 9 Apr 2007