Pubdate: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 Source: Cherokee County Herald (AL) Copyright: 2006 Cherokee County Herald. Contact: http://news.mywebpal.com/index.cfm?pnpid=726 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1912 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs) WAR ON DRUGS MOVES TO COUNTY'S SCHOOLS A recovering methamphetamine addict who has been clean for two years joined the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department and Drug Task Force recently to tell students how drugs can destroy lives. Clark Combs said his problem started as a teenager when he began having a few beers with friends. "When I was about 16 years old, alcohol is the first thing I tried and I thought it was going to be all right," Combs recalled. "I drank a few beers. It became a problem too. It is a gateway drug. Alcohol led me to smoking marijuana. I had heard the word 'addict' or 'alcoholic,' but those were weak-minded persons, somebody different from me." In his early 20s, Combs was introduced to methamphetamine by a co-worker when he had a job laying tile. He had tried cocaine, but the high from cocaine lasted only a few minutes, while the high from meth may last days. After 13 DUIs, Combs wanted to lick his drinking problem. He even took meth to "cover up" his drinking. He lost several jobs and often found himself not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. In 2001, Combs himself was hit by a drunk driver and suffered broken ribs and other injuries. "I was in pretty bad shape," he said. "I wasn't really thinking about whether or not I was going to live then, all I was thinking about where I was going to get more dope. And when I was laying in the hospital room, I was still able to reach the phone and dial the numbers. I started calling to get some dope." Combs said he received a nice insurance settlement because of this accident and people started coming out of the woodwork to inquire about his condition. "They wanted to help me spend that money on dope," he said. For a few months, it was one big party until the money ran out. Combs pointed to one side of the bleachers where students were sitting. "There were this many people in my house at one time smoking dope," Combs said. "When you've got that many people in your living room, you've got a problem." In 2002, Combs was arrested in Etowah County, and in 2004, he was arrested in Cherokee County, where he remained in jail for more than a year. "Back when I was using, I was always afraid you would tell on me. I would call you a snitch. I would like to meet that person today who snitched on me for one reason. That person saved my life." Combs said he became involved in Narcotics Anonymous, the local Celebrate Recovery and other programs to help him stay clean. He now uses his experiences to encourage others not to take the same path. Combs challenged students to let him know if they or someone they know has a d! rug problem. "If you have a family member or somebody that is on dope, tell them they need to get some help," he said. "By calling the police or someone else, you are not doing anything to them. You are doing something for them, I promise you." While Combs and the officers made their presentations, Cherokee County Narcotics Dog Casey and Cherokee County Deputy and Trainer Chris O'Neal did a sweep through the school on a random search. Cherokee County Sheriff Larry Wilson said O'Neal and Casey searched all rooms and lockers in the school, accompanied by Principal Paul McWhorter. The program was part of operation Clandestine Drug Labs, which are being staged at schools in the county. "We just want to get everybody's attention to let them know we are going to be coming in and out, checking the schools regularly," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom