Pubdate: Tue, 25 Feb 2003
Source: Sand Mountain Reporter, The (AL)
Copyright: 2003 Sand Mountain Reporter.
Contact:  http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1713
Author: Brandy Yates, The Reporter

MAMA FIGHTS METH

The old adage, "if mother's not happy, then no one is happy," certainly 
strikes a cord with Dr. Mary Holley, who has chartered a new group with the 
mission of saving others from the drug that killed her brother.

Jim Blobaum, Holley's youngest brother, tried crystal meth for the first 
time when he was 22. Two years later, on July 4, 2002, he was dead from a 
self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Although he'd done other drugs - marijuana, speed and other "lesser drugs" 
- - crystal meth proved to be the one that held the tightest grip on his life 
- - a grip from which he could not break loose.

The shock and anger of losing her brother to this drug motivated Holley to 
invest her time, energy and about $200,000 of her own money into forming 
Mothers Against Methamphetamine (MAMA) with the hope she could reach others 
with information about the drug that destroyed her brother.

"After I got over his death, I started to look into the physiology trying 
to learn what this drug is and what it does to the brain," Holley said.

An OB/GYN, who's office is on the campus of Marshall Medical Center North, 
Holley began researching crystal meth and other illicit drugs to learn how 
they affect the body. A devout Christian, Holley also performed her 
research with the knowledge that what she was doing was being done for Christ.

"The Christian community had not had a response to the drug crisis. Jesus 
has a lot to say about the drug crisis, and I want to deliver His message," 
she said.

Holley began in late 2001 publishing columns in area newspapers, including 
The Sand Mountain Reporter, in which she provided details about crystal 
meth and various other drugs.

Those columns, as well as speeches she presented to various groups, all of 
which were well-received by the public, became the launching pad for the 10 
pamphlets she had printed for MAMA.

The pamphlets, which cover methamphetamine, heroin and pain pills, alcohol 
and nicotine, date rape drugs and GHB, inhalants, cocaine, Ecstasy, LSD and 
marijuana as well as one titled, "Parents of Prodigals," are available for 
free to various businesses, groups and organizations wishing to help 
"facilitate an effective Christian drug effort."

In addition to the pamphlets, MAMA also has available three booklets, each 
of which is designed to be read by different groups. "Meth Death" is 
written at a sixth to eighth grade level, and is designed for placement in 
public schools. Although Jesus is not mentioned by name in the booklet, His 
presence it obvious to those who seek Him, according to Holley.

"Red Devil Lye" is written on a sixth grade level, but it is meant for 
prison inmates. Additionally, "Don't Mess Around With Drugs" is written on 
a sixth grade level; however, the booklet, in which a gospel presentation 
is included, is designed to be distributed to church youth groups.

Two lengthy books, "Your Brain on Drugs" and "Power Over Addiction," each 
of which is 62 pages in length, are also available and go into greater 
details about drugs and their affects on the body.

"Our game plan is to get information to the public. We're going to need a 
lot of help to do it," Holley said.

As a means of raising funds for MAMA, T-shirts and posters are for sale. 
The T-shirts, which are $12, and the posters, which go for $5, were 
illustrated by an addict Holley met while presenting drug education 
programs to inmates at the Marshall County Correctional Facility.

Holley said the inmate, who struggled with a serious drug addiction, had 
been drawing pictures for about three years, but had no way of getting them 
out to the masses.

After hearing Holley speak at the jail, the inmate decided she could help 
him get his art out to the public. When he was released for jail, Holley 
said the man hitch-hiked to her office in Scant City, gave her his drawings 
and signed the copyright for them over to her.

He continued to draw pieces for the project until early last summer when he 
dropped off Holley's radar. She hasn't seen or heard from him since.

"He had a serious drug problem. He didn't want anybody else to be in jail 
because of a drug problem," she said.

Currently, Holley as well as the two women she's employed to handle the 
day-to-day operation of MAMA - Penny Watkins of Arab and Rachel Cox of 
Guntersville, are seeking retail establishments that will be willing to 
carry the T-shirts and posters.

In addition, they are seeking sponsors to pay for five public service 
announcements they hope to produce as well as four billboards they want to 
erect in Marshall County. Holley said the sponsors will be able to receive 
tax credit for their donations and will be recognized for their contributions.

MAMA offices are located behind the Albertville Post Office at 104 W. 
Alabama Ave., Suite E. Those seeking information, assistance or literature 
to place in their church or business, can visit the office or call 
1-866-293-8901. MAMA will follow up with anyone who orders materials.

Holley is also available to speak to various groups; however, she limits 
her speaking engagements to twice a week.

When asked what she thinks her brother would think of her activism, Holley 
pauses for a moment and then replies, "He would probably think this is 
'typical Mary.' That this is the way Mary does things."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D