Crane, Ind. - When the Crane Army Ammunition Activity employees heard Gary Martin tell his story of drug and alcohol abuse that lead him down through a destructive spiral, it was not a message from a stranger, but from a former co-worker.
As part of an effort to make the message stick and reach its employees, CAAA went beyond simply telling people some drugs are bad, they brought in the people from their own communities who either have suffered because of these drugs or confronted their negative effects every day in the area.
CAAA held its annual drug awareness and education training here Aug. 20 at the base theater. The training featured the testimonies and briefings from a local citizen action group called MAIN - Meth Awareness is Necessary. The group is made up of people who have been affected by methamphetamine either through their personal or professional life.
Pete Aldrich and Beth Davis of the MAIN team also provided coworkers with testimonials on their efforts to help people with methamphetamine addictions. Martin's testimonial, along with the Davis, who lost a son who battled drug addiction, and Aldrich, who works to help addicts recover and restart their lives, brought together a compelling training session designed to make people consider the real consequences of drugs and alcohol.
Debbie Lane, CAAA Drug Program Coordinator, said that the testimonials made the training well received by the employees who attended.
"Employees were very appreciative that the individuals who have been affected were willing to tell their stories. Numerous times I've heard remarks about how courageous Gary Martin was. A man who had worked here for more than 30 years, was fired, but came out to tell his story," Lane said.
Martin's testimony was designed to show once fellow coworkers just how easy it could be to slip into substance addiction. It also illustrated not only the loss a person goes through when addicted to a substance, but provided hope that a person can come clean and rebuild their life as well.
Daviess County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Dan Murrie also provided a statistical look at drug usage in the area for the past ten years, as well as his experiences in prosecuting these crimes. Murrie provided details on some of the current dangers on the street, including methamphetamine and ecstasy. By providing a solid education on different drugs' appearances and effects, Murrie hoped to better arm Crane Army employees with the information to resist the use of drugs or help spot its usage in a friend or relative.
Additionally, Phil Hess of the Employee Assistance Program made a presentation, informing the employees of EAP's ability to provide a variety of counseling, including family, drugs, alcohol, financial, and anger management.
CAAA was established in Oct. 1977 and is a tenant of the Navy Region Midwest, Naval Support Activity Crane. The Army activity maintains ordnance professionals and infrastructure to receive, store, ship, produce, renovate and demilitarize conventional ammunition, missiles and related components.
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