MAC Overview
The Meth Action Coalition (MAC) is a grassroots organization comprised of professionals, businesses and private citizens who have come together to fight the scourge of meth. The MAC grew out of a very successful Meth Summit, held at St Charles in November 2003 and was strengthened by a second Meth Summit held at The Riverhouse in June, 2005 (275 people in attendance!) The philosophy of the MAC is straightforward: Communities that have been most effective in addressing the problem of meth have utilized a three-pronged approach:
  1. Law enforcement - to address issues around the supply of meth
  2. Treatment - for those who are currently users
  3. Prevention education - community outreach and prevention education for the broader public

MAC Mission Statement
“To eliminate the use, sale and manufacturing of meth in Central Oregon in partnership with law enforcement, treatment and
prevention professionals”

The MAC works primarily to develop that third approach (Prevention education) and to understand how to effectively support the efforts of law enforcement and treatment organizations. Click on the links below to learn about how to get involved with the MAC.
MAC Meetings and Minutes MAC Projects   MAC Committees
  Contact Us

MAC Meetings - The MAC typically meets monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month from 12 noon - 1:15 pm at the Commission on Children and Families (1130 NW Harriman Avenue in Bend). All are welcome to attend and lunch is provided so please RSVP by contacting one of the MAC Co-Chairs Bruce Abernethy or Tammy Baney.

MAC Projects - The MAC is involved with several exciting projects. Some are already up and running and only need more “bodies” to make them successful! Others are still largely at the conceptual stage and need a critical mass of people to come together to make them happen.

Click on the link(s) below and/or scroll down for more information on these great opportunities.

Community presentations – many people in the community are simply unaware of how meth can negatively impact them, even if they are not users themselves (e.g. crime victims, higher taxes for law enforcement and social services, environmental consequences, lost worker productivity, etc.) The MAC is undertaking an ambitious outreach effort to give presentations to service clubs, organizations, agencies, business groups, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, etc.

The MAC has developed all the necessary materials - an informative Power Point presentation, brochure, handouts and Meth Watch CDs - and presentations can be tailored to fit the needs and interests of any group.

Volunteers are needed to give presentations (training is available) and/or to help organize and schedule talks (i.e. find out when meetings are held, etc.) Please contact Bruce Abernethy if you are interested in giving a presentation yourself - or - being a contact and helping us to give a presentation to a group you know.

Meth Watch – this is an exciting state-wide program which is growing in Central Oregon! Stores are asked to participate in Meth Watch by identifying (“tagging” with shelf tags) all products and supplies used in the manufacturing of meth. Coupled with window stickers and info sheets at checkout registers, this project raises community awareness about the meth problem in our area – and – reduces the sale or theft of these products.

Volunteers are needed to ask stores to participate. Kits cost $20 - $38 depending upon the size of the store. Training CD’s and materials are available. This is an “easy sell” and a great way to involve the business community. Click on link for more information - Meth Watch

Schools/Youth Initiative - this is a new project that will help increase the awareness of youth (primarily middle and high school age) about the dangers of meth by friends, peers and family members. The project involves working with youth and staff to identify messaes and media that will be effective in keeping youth away from meth.

Volunteers are needed to help identify contacts ("champions") at all schools and local youth organizations who can help us to spread the word.

Please contact Bruce Abernethy if you want to get involved.

Develop a Drug Court – while they vary widely in scope, organization and points of intervention, most drug courts share an underlying premise that drug possession and use is not simply a law enforcement/criminal justice problem, but also a public health issue with deep roots in society. All drug court systems see the court, especially the judge, as filling a role beyond that of just adjudication.

Volunteers are needed to conduct research on other jurisdictions where this approach has been successful, to determine and organize support within Deschutes County (there was an effort to try this a few years ago), to fundraise/research and write grants since it probably will cost more money than traditional court sentencing.

Click on link for an overview and Drug Court Principles.

Drug Free Workplace - work with Bend Chamber to create a Drug Free Workplace Initiative and help to change community culture around drug use.

Click on link for an overview of the Drug Free Workplace concept. Contact Randy Johnson for more information

Resource Library - the purpose is to identify, distribute and keep track of all meth-related resources (materials, curriculum, brochures, videos, posters, speakers, etc.) in the County. This group will help with the development of materials targeted at youth.

Volunteers are needed to research what materials other meth coalitions have developed or obtained.

MAC Committees - The MAC has established several committees which oversee and carry out many of the projects and activities in our community. Click on the link(s) below to find out more and/or how you can get involved! 

Executive Committee - sets specific policy/direction for the organization, provides oversight and technical assistance to committees and specific projects, including data collection and evaluation, makes decisions for the group between meetings

Please contact Co-Chairs Bruce Abernethy or Tammy Baney for more information.

Advisory Committee - high-level decision-makers in law enforcement, health care, education and local government who provide broad policy guidance and ensure coordination with existing efforts. MAC Advisory Committee members include:

Charlie Beck, Principal, La Pine High School
Jenny Chocole Birnie , Director, Juvenile Community Justice
Pat Carey, Manager, SDA 10 Adults Children and Families, DHS
Dennis Dempsey, Supt, High Desert Educational Service District
Ron DiTullio, Horizon Broadcasting Group
Mike Dugan, District Attorney
Randy Johnson, BestCare Treatment Services
Scott Johnson, Director, Deschutes County Mental health Department
Andy Jordan, Bend Police Chief
Dennis Luke, Deschutes County Commissioner
Dan Peddycord, Director, Deschutes County Health Departmen
Lane Roberts, Redmond Police Chief
Shannon Roy, Director of Student Services, Bend - La Pine Schools
Les Stiles, Deschutes County Sheriff
Judy Trego, Comm. Advocate, Community Action Team of Sisters
Alan Unger, Mayor of Redmond
Becky Wanless, Director, Deschutes County Parole and Probation
Ben Westlund, OR State Senator

Public Relations Committee - responsible for relations with the media (print, tv and radio), policy-makers, assist with developing materials and community presentations as needed.

Please contact Tammy Baney for more information.

Resource Development Committee - responsible for fundraising (for the organization and MAC projects), will include grant writing and possibly special events

Please contact Bruce Abernethy for more information.

Meth Family and Friends Support Group - help change community attitudes towards treatment and building partnerships.

Please contact Chuck Hemingway (click on link to send him an email) or call him at 383-4293 for more information on this new group.

Contact Us

The MAC has accomplished a lot without paid staff or a formal "office"and phone number - please feel free to contact either of the MAC Co-Chairs Bruce Abernethy or Tammy Baney.