Citizens Against Meth battles new foe
03/18/08
John Willis
Citizens Against Meth had been in its new offices at Professional Court just six months when it was destroyed by the fire last week that burned out 15 businesses in the office park.
The anti-drug group lost all of its office supplies, including its copier, laser printer, desks, chairs and tables, said Jan Hammond, treasurer of Citizens Against Meth.
The organization’s printed literature and the T-shirts and promotional items that the group distributes in the community also were destroyed, she said. Hammond estimated the loss totaled around $8,000.
According to fire department reports, the fire started early on the morning of Tuesday, March 11. A passerby reported the blaze around 4:30 a.m. and it was under control by 5:15 a.m.
The fire was the second one in less than eight weeks on Professional Court. On Jan. 19, the building across the cul-de-sac caught on fire. The investigation ruled it was an electrical fire.
"The good news is we didn’t lose any of our information or our database. Our computer was out of the office being repaired, and our presentation project was at Dr. John Bledsoe’s office," Hammond said.
Hammond said the fire was a setback for the grassroots organization that was founded in 2005 as a response to the growing methamphetamine epidemic in Gordon County.
"Fortunately, there are a lot of generous people in Gordon County and our hopes are high that we will be open for business again soon," she said. "Everyone is working from home right now, and we are trying to find new office space."
The organization offers educational programs about the methamphetamine epidemic, seeks solutions and implement changes in the local government and law enforcement to allow and assist in rehabilitation for the addict and works with the social service providers, educators and the faith-based community.
The Calhoun Woman’s Club had earlier designated Citizens Against Meth as the recipient of the proceeds of the 2008 Sequoyah Ball, which is scheduled to be held Saturday, March 29, at the Coosa Country Club in Rome.
"If it wasn’t for the Calhoun Woman’s Club I would be very concerned right now," Hammond said. "We will be working to make sure the Sequoyah Ball to be a big success."
Citizens Against Meth is in the process of writing several grants that will use the Woman’s Club proceeds as matching funds.
"The grant deadlines are in April, and any donations that come in by April 13 can be uses as matching funds for the grants," Hammond said.
Board member Lynn Reese said Citizens Against Meth would "rise from the ashes" of the March 11 fire.
"Any donations would be greatly welcomed," Reese said.
To learn about Citizens Against Meth, visit the group’s Web site, citizensagainstmeth.org. Send donations to Calhoun Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 362, Calhoun, GA, 30703, and designate your gift for "C.A.M.", or call Hammond at 770-548-4876 for more information.