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It seems no matter which media outlet you turn to now a days, you are learning more and more of the destructiveness of meth. I know a lot of people think that the nation's drug problems are limited to the big cities, but that couldn't be any farther from the truth. Meth and other recreation drugs are just as prevalent in small town U.S.A. as in the metro areas. You need evidence? The courts just put a Chisago County man away for three consecutive life sentences for dealing meth. It is here -- and we do have a problem.

I had heard about this program that the state of Montana was initiating regarding teen drug use. Montana had an unbelievably high number of teens who admitted to trying meth at least once. By way of television ads, print ads and radio ads, Montana has reduced its first time drug use by astronomical numbers.

I decided to look more into the project and found the website www.montanamethproject.com. On the site, you can view all of the commercials and ads. Wow. If you have a teen or pre-teen, you must have them view these commercials. They are hard-hitting, dead on and some will leave you breathless.

Time is running out on our Christmas coloring contest. We have had a pretty good turn out, but still could use some more. The contest was in the Thanksgiving edition of our annual Gift Guide. If your child's picture is chosen, they will win a $50 savings bond. Pictures must be to us by December 12 to qualify for prizes.

This Saturday the Boy Scouts are holding their annual Christmas Craft Fair. Held at the Lindstrom Community Center, there will be 20 vendor booths displaying their Christmas crafts. Along with the vendors, the Boy Scouts will be selling Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths. To top it off, Santa will be there in person at 2 p.m. So, bring your young ones. The Craft Fair starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.

If you are looking for a really neat gift this Christmas, look no further. Dr. Carlton Erickson, whom many of you know from Fairview Clinic, has published a calendar. This is not just any old calendar, it is a calendar filled with beautiful photos taken all around the Chisago Lakes area. Dr. Erickson has really captured the spirit of our area with stunning pictures of places all of us know. The calendars are currently for sale at Gustaf's Galleries in downtown Lindstrom. I know of at least three people that are getting one of these for Christmas.

The County Press is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated, honest team player to join our staff as a sales rep. Sales experience and knowledge of the newspaper industry would be preferred, but we will train the right person. Time management and personal skills are a must. We offer a flexible, fun work environment with a good salary based on commission with benefits available.

If you would like to join our great sales team, please send your resume to: Matt Silver, Publisher, Chisago County Press, P.O. Box 748, Lindstrom, MN 55045 or e-mail to [email protected].

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