Pubdate: Fri, 03 Dec 2004
Source: Oak Ridger (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Oak Ridger
Contact:  http://www.oakridger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146
Author: Lauren Christ
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

METH TASK FORCE MEMBER, ORHS TEACHERS JOINING TOGETHER

Editor's note: Lauren Christ is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School who is 
currently a student of the College of Journalism and Communications at the 
University of Florida. She has researched and written this article as part 
of her course study concerning drug education

A member of the Tennessee methamphetamine task force will talk to Oak Ridge 
High School teachers at a seminar held at Jefferson Middle School in 
December. Considering the area's meth problem, however, some teachers' 
concern for students has led them to take action beforehand.

Since an estimated three-quarters of the meth labs in the Southeast are 
located in the state of Tennessee, according to the federal Drug 
Enforcement Administration, concern for the area and its youth is growing.

"To my knowledge we've not had a case involving methamphetamine at Oak 
Ridge High School," vice principal Chuck Carringer said.

"However, it is a concern and appears to be a potentially serious issue in 
our region and our community."

One aspect of combating this problem and preventing student abuse is 
educating youth in the area.

Oak Ridge wellness teacher Marianne Johnson has drastically altered her 
curriculum in light of meth abuse in the area and the lack of information 
concerning this drug in the current textbook.

Oak Ridge High School student council president Amy Palumbo does not 
remember learning about meth when she took the class. Now as a senior, 
Palumbo feels that the curriculum should be updated.

"I do believe that drug education should be reviewed," Palumbo said.

"I do not think it is effective at all."

In her wellness class, which is a general requirement for graduation, 
Johnson has supplemented the book with posters, pamphlets and booklets, she 
said.

Johnson acquired one pamphlet, Meth Labs Emergency Respondent, from her 
husband, who is an employee at the Department of Energy and attended a 
seminar addressing the area's meth problem.

The pamphlet discusses emergency first aid and indications of abuse as well 
as the products used to make methamphetamines.

"When you read about some of these things, you think, 'Why would you want 
to put these things in your body?'" Johnson said.

Methamphetamine can be made from commonplace products and over the counter 
medications.

Meth labs therefore are numerous, and the drug is easily accessible.

The crystalline powder can be smoked, snorted, injected or ingested orally.

Depending on the method of intake and the amount of meth taken, users can 
have a very brief rush, a long-lasting high or a long-term binge called a 
"run."

Along with deterring students from using meth by informing them what toxins 
they would be putting into their bodies, the posters show them what 
after-effects they might suffer for the sake of a drug-induced, temporary high.

"They show on the posters that a lot of users have scratches on their 
arms," Johnson said.

"It's awful. It's called crank bugs. They feel like there are bugs on their 
skin, so they scratch themselves even to the point of infection."

"Crank bugs," also called "formication" according to the National Institute 
on Drug Abuse, is one type of hallucination meth abusers may suffer from.

Short-term effects only include euphoria, decreased hunger and increased 
activity.

Long-term effects, however, vary but can produce violent behavior, mood 
disturbances, insomnia, hallucinations, paranoia, weight loss and stroke.

The posters also show burns and blisters sustained from making meth and the 
explosions common in meth labs.

"These posters I have are really effective, I think, for the kids to see 
what happens to abusers," Johnson said. "We had all that for alcohol and 
smoking, but not for drug abuse. Those have helped a lot, I think."

Johnson also believes that it would be beneficial for Officer George 
Staffney, the school's resource officer, to speak to the students about 
meth use in the area.

"It's a good thing for him to have a good rapport with the students," 
Johnson said.

A trusting relationship with students is also essential to counselor and 
Student Assistance Program coordinator Alice Crook.

Through the Student Assistance Program, Crook is able to identify students 
whose academic performances are suffering and try to determine if problems 
outside of school may be the cause.

Crook is then able to help the students find support groups or therapy for 
their problems, including drug or alcohol abuse, she said.

Some students avoid talking to Crook for fear of punishment or expulsion 
from school, but others are reaping the benefits of her help.

"As long as a student is not under the influence when they come talk to me, 
I can keep things confidential," Crook said.

More often, Crook said, students are anxious to come seeking help not for 
themselves but for friends or family members involved with drugs.

While neither Crook nor Johnson know of any students abusing meth in Oak 
Ridge High School, both are aware of students exposed to meth use by a 
family member.

These faculty members are working toward deterring student drug use through 
education, but they are also offering them information to help friends and 
family who may be abusing drugs like methamphetamines.

"I do think there needs to be more education, and not just for kids, 
because a lot of what we are seeing is parents using," Crook said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager