Pubdate: Wed, 31 Dec 2003
Source: Calhoun Times (GA)
Copyright: 2003 Calhoun Times
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/3221
Website: http://www.calhountimes.com
Author: Susan Kirkland

METH 'MOST DESTRUCTIVE DRUG' COUNTY HAS SEEN

Methamphetamine's effects on the users can be profound, said Dr. John
Bledsoe, a drug counselor at Calhoun Counseling Center.

"It's the most destructive drug this county has known," said
Bledsoe.

The effects are physical and emotional, and nothing is left unharmed
by prolonged use.

"It's a chemical induced insanity," he said. "It's so addictive, even
using a little will make you feel the best you have ever felt."

But the elation is short lived, and depression often follows when
users "crash."

This creates a dangerous cycle because it takes more of the drug to
reach the same high.

"You get lower when you come down," said Bledsoe, who said about 85
percent of his patients, who range in age from 16 to 60, are being
treated for meth addiction.

Besides the emotional impact of the depression, there are physical
side effects as well.

"Your brain begins to shut down, and you can never get back to where
you were," said Bledsoe.

Users are often restless, staying up all night and starting many
projects, but never finishing them.

The toxic chemicals soften bones and with prolonged use, addicts lose
their teeth and develop "crank craters"- facial sores.

Paranoia often accompanies heavy usage, said Bledsoe. "I've seen
people tear up their things looking for 'bugs,'" he said.

He added that about half of his patients being treated for meth use
are also marijuana users. Marijuana is a depressant and often counters
the effects of meth.

"They get so high that they need something to bring them down, so they
smoke pot," said Bledsoe.

The desperation to get that same high destroys as much internally as
the drug destroys physically.

"It destroys the conscience," said Bledsoe.

District Attorney Joe Campbell agrees. "It leads to breakdown in
respect for the community."

"They'll steal checks from dead family members and live family
members," said Campbell about the lengths users will go to get a hit.

With the addiction knowing no social, economic, racial, age, or gender
boundaries, there is no quick fix and no one simple cure all. Some may
argue stricter penalties, longer jail sentences, other for better
treatment, but since it's not just the addict affected by the drug,
there may need to be a multi-faceted approach.

James Binnicker, who supervises the child protective unit at Gordon
County's Department of Family and Children Services, said with the
right program, he has seen more success than failures.

"What's helping us the most is in-home crisis intervention," he said.
This program is multi-faceted. A counselor will visit the home for
family counseling, allowing the addict privacy.

"Most don't want to go through in-patient therapy if it means losing
their job or children," said Binnicker.

Also, with the family made aware of the addiction, there is more
support for the addict.

In addition to in-home counseling, a caseworker visits every other
week and a parent aid comes in to help teach parenting and
housekeeping skills.

"We have more success stories than failures," said Binnicker, "but the
success depends on their trust of the agency. We don't want to take
their kids - that just causes greater difficulty."

Bledsoe said he has seen success through in-patient treatment in
centers that cost the county nothing because operating money comes
from grants, donations, and patients.

Such a program would cost between $750,000 and $1 million said
Bledsoe.

"An old hotel would be good," he said. "If I were 20 years younger,
I'd build it myself."

"The people pay their own rent and they have to be treated with
dignity," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake