OFFICER DUBBED THE ‘METH-MAN’ TO SPEAK ABOUT THE DANGERS OF METH TUESDAY, APRIL 4, AT UNK

Nadine Panter
Department of Social Work, 308.865.8738
 

The acclaimed “Meth-Man” will be at the University of Nebraska at Kearney on Tuesday, April 4, to present “The Danger of Methamphetamine.”  
       
The presentation begins at 5 p.m. in Copeland Hall Room142, and is free and open to the public.  
       
The “Meth-Man,” Officer Chuck Matson of the Omaha Police Department, has been a member of Omaha’s police force for 23 years, and he currently coordinates Recognizing Impairing Drugs (RID) Training, a consultation and schooling service on the danger of addictive drugs.
    
Matson created RID in 1998, and he also is a member of a select group of certified Drug Recognition Expert Instructors, who train law enforcement officers and personnel in educational institutions, government agencies, the medical field and business on reliable techniques for evaluating individuals who display signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug impairment. 
    
Matson is a nationally known speaker and instructor on the effects of psychoactive drugs. His educational programs have been used internationally as well as being referenced in national publications. In addition, he was one of only three law enforcement officers world-wide who were asked to write a chapter in the just-released book “Medical-Legal Aspects of Abused Substances: Old and New–Licit and Illicit.”  
       
Prior attendees of Matson’s presentations have described him as “a terrific speaker on the horrors of drugs. He had us alternately sharing tears of laughter and sorrow.” His actual presentation has also been called “the best learning experience I have had.”
       
Nadine Panter, UNK senior lecturer in social work, said that Matson was asked to come give his presentation, because “he’s a very dynamic speaker and relates to students well.” She went on to say that Matson’s topic is a pressing issue in the state of Nebraska, and that this event is designed for anyone who is interested in the methamphetamine problem.