An Interview with Rod Henry, CCE, President and CEO of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce
 Rod Henry, CCE
President and CEO
Terre Haute (IN) Chamber of Commerce
Chaaron: Rod, thank you for agreeing to do an interview for the Policy Clearinghouse Newsletter. I know that your community is struggling with methamphetamine production/consumption/PSE misuse, etc. and I’d like to get some insight on what the chamber is doing, along with the community to combat meth’s prevalence. First, give us some stats of what you’re up against:
Rod: The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce first became involved in the "meth issue" seven years ago. This past year we renewed our commitment based upon the burden meth related issues facing our community, and the State of Indiana. Some of the factors include: (1) county jail overcrowding leading to increased health care expense (health care budget has quadrupled since meth incarcerations increased); (2) workforce development ... good employees dismissed due to drugs (primarily meth) causing the company to incur expense for training new employee ($35,000 each time for one company); (3) $4.2 million meth related cost at one hospital over past 3 years, with $2.1 considered charitable or bad debt; (4) impact on children and newborns; (5) increased cost to social service and education services; (6) rise of criminal activity to feed the meth habit.
Chaaron: What do you see is the chamber’s role in this fight?
Rod: In 2004 we joined in partnership with the Vigo County Sheriff's Department to not only help write a local ordinance, but to educate, communicate and inform our membership on the ills of meth upon our community. We worked with members who retail PSE products. Today, we are involved in advancing the cause for state legislation to have PSE re-scheduled. Public Safety Officials suggested rescheduling PSE, which was done in 2006 in Oregon and in July 2010 in Mississippi. This would mean it would take prescription to obtain the product. Please note, I say “re-schedule” because a prescription was required for PSE until 1976. Oregon has been the pioneer in requiring a prescription, setting the example with phenomenal results since their rule was promulgated in 2006. They have gone from a high of 473 labs in 2003 to a reported 13 labs in 2010, over a 96% reduction. Mississippi has seen a 70% drop in labs in the first seven months.
Chaaron: What other community organizations are working with you?
Rod: Although our initiative has been with the local and state law enforcement, we have the solid support of our membership. In addition, we are working with Teen Challenge, the Coalition against Methamphetamine Abuse and with Meth Awareness Partnership. The level of interest is growing as we have the time to educate, communicate and inform.
Chaaron: Are you facing any opposition?
Rod: Unfortunately, opposition to scheduling does exist, although most, if not all, agree that something has to be done.
Chaaron: What can other chambers, facing similar challenges in their community, do?
Rod: Be proactive. Understand the issue and how it truly does impact the community in general, and your membership. A couple of final comments ... in a lot of ways, it is a David vs. Goliath scenario. It is limited resources (time and money) vs. deep pockets. Some have described the Terre Haute Chamber as The Chamber with a Community Conscience.
To read Rod’s full article on Meth in Terre Haute, please read his guest-post on the Public Policy Clearinghouse blog: Guest Post: Rod Henry - Meth and Policy
Government Relations Quick Poll Results: Federal Fly-ins
ACCE members that conduct Federal Fly-ins are encouraged to participate in a Government Relations Quick Poll. The poll featured questions on basic trip details such as cost per traveller, if fly-ins are invite only and if public officials accompany chamber members on the trip.
Click here to participate in the poll: Federal Fly-in Quick Poll
You can find the preliminary quick poll results here: Federal Fly-in Quick Poll Results
Pew Center on the States: The Looming Crisis – Getting a Grip on State Budgets and Spending
Resources are available from the Pew Center on the States state budget series. Each session featured both an issue expert from the Pew Center to provide an overview of national data and trends and a business leader to share experience in a specific state. You can find the slides and audio from each presentation as well as additional resources and documents from our link: The Looming Crisis.
From the Policy Clearinghouse Blog
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