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Seg. 1: Missouri Still A Center For Meth. Seg. 2: Options For Seniors Who Cannot Live Alone.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Nearly one-fifth of the elderly require residential facilities that offer in-house assistance.

Segment 1: Methamphetamine epidemic of the 90s hasn't gone away in Missouri, it's gotten worse.

There was at time when the number of mom-and-pop meth labs in this part of the country caused Independence, Missouri, to be dubbed "the methamphetamine capital of America." Vigorous laws restricting access to ingredients drastically reduced the number of home-cookers but not demand.  Today, agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration told us how purer meth now makes it way to Missouri to be cut and distributed. We also talked with the head of an agency that offers drug addiction recovery services.

For those seeking help with drug addiction, First Call maintains a 24/7 Crisis Call line at 816.361.5900.

Segment 2, beginning at 23:09: By the time today's seniors reach age 85, one in five will need living options that provide personal care.

Senior living, assisted living, skilled nursing and in-home care are among the choices for older persons who can no longer manage their house on their own.  With so many options, how do you know which one is right for you or your loved one and your budget? Today, two professionals in the field walked us through what to consider when deciding whether to get help to stay in the home or to move to a place that offers services with residency.

As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.
As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.