Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2005
Source: Leaf-Chronicle, The (US TN)
Copyright: 2005, The Leaf-Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.theleafchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1601
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

WAR ON METH TO SCHOOLS

Educators In Tennessee Are Learning To Deal With Problem.

When it comes to the war on illegal drugs, it seems that it's one
battle after another. Right now, forces are being drawn against
methamphetamines, and the state's educators are being asked to do
their part in the fight.

Tennessee ranks second nationally, behind just Missouri, in the number
of meth labs seized by law agents. While the percentage of teens
trying the drug has remained at less than 10 percent, young people are
being affected.

Last year, the state took some 700 children into custody in
meth-related cases. Because the drug can be cooked up in a kitchen,
parents have been known to produce it with their children right in the
home.

Not only are the youngsters being exposed to potentially harmful fumes
and possible explosions, they also tend to be neglected by parents who
become more interested in the drug than their own children.

In response, the state Department of Education is providing training
for school districts on how to increase their prevention and
intervention techniques.

First, educators need to recognize signs of neglect that could point
to parental involvement with meth. Second, even if meth abuse isn't a
large youth addiction problem yet, they still need to work with the
students so that they understand they cannot use the drug for "fun."
They cannot control it - it will end up controlling them.

And if warnings of addiction aren't strong enough, then perhaps a
gallery of photos featuring the physical effects of meth abuse might
help. Students, who usually are very conscious of their appearances,
should be interested to know that meth addicts end up with rotted
teeth, sores on their faces and a strong, obnoxious body odor.

Meth abuse does horrible things to a person. We need to stop
proliferation of the drug before it gets its hooks into a new generation.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin