Ron Gardner Meth Coalition Project

Rise Above Meth

Detective Ron Gardner joined the Hastings Police Department in 1990. He was assigned as the primary detective in charge of drug enforcement. Ron made it his top priority to wipe out the problem of illegal drugs in our community. Detective Gardner is credited with numerous state and federal cases and there are many drug pushers that are out of business due to the efforts of Detective Gardner.

In the Spring of 2005, through the efforts of Detective Gardner and others, a town hall meeting was held in which it was agreed that the problem of methamphetamine needed a proactive approach. A coalition of community members was needed to address the issue. In August of 2005, a kickoff meeting was held at the City Auditorium to announce the genesis of the Coalition.

In December of 2005, the Coalition applied for funding to continue the planning process that was under way. The South Heartland District Health Department awarded $10,000 to the Coalition and in the Spring of 2006 an advisory board was formed and Detective Gardner's efforts were gaining strength.

Tragically, in early April of 2006, Detective Gardner suffered an apparent heart attack in his home. The Hastings Police Department lost a 15-year police veteran and friend and our community lost a champion in the war against drugs.

The Coalition would be renamed to recognize Ron's passion to eradicate drugs in our community. "Detective Gardner's loss was sudden and tragic, and it was most critically felt on the community's anti-drug efforts.  Ron was, without question, the driving force behind the community's efforts to fight the war against drugs.  It is in his honor that the Ron Gardner Meth Coalition Project is named." --www.riseabovemeth.com

The City of Hastings is a safer place due to the efforts of Ron and others like him. The members of the Ron Gardner Meth Coalition, are continuing Detective Gardner's fight against meth and other drugs in our community. It is through these efforts that they wish to honor Ron and his family.

God Bless you Ron, you will be missed.

To learn more about the Ron Gardner Meth Coalition Project and what you can do in the war against drugs, visit www.riseabovemeth.com.