Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2006
Source: Lompoc Record (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Lee Central Coast Newspapers
Contact: http://www.lompocrecord.com/contact/lettertoeditor.html
Website: http://www.lompocrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/242
Author: Andy Caldwell
Note: Andy Caldwell is executive director of COLAB and a 38-year 
resident of the Central Coast.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CONFRONTING HORROR OF METH ADDICTION

Have you seen the ads featuring the before-and-after mug shots of 
meth addicts? The photos are staggering.

These people look like they have aged 20 years in a matter of months. 
Their lives are destroyed. Their brains are permanently damaged. And 
they have probably committed a number of crimes, either while under 
the influence or to raise money to obtain their next high.

In a short amount of time, you can expect to not be able to pick up 
any number of non-prescription drugs that contain the ingredients to 
make meth, unless you are willing to wait in line at the pharmacy 
window. That is because law enforcement agencies nationwide are 
desperate to keep the key ingredients of meth out of the hands of addicts.

The issue here is that meth isn't brought in from far away places 
like Colombia or Afghanistan. Many of the addicts produce the drug 
for themselves in makeshift laboratories that are both compact and 
mobile, using chemicals that are readily available. I recently heard 
a presentation by a local law enforcement agent who specializes in 
meth. The sheriff's deputy who made the presentation referred to the 
total path of destruction this drug leaves in the wake of the addict 
and the unfortunate souls who come across the path of the addicts. 
Meth use is so prevalent in our society that law enforcement and 
community health experts are referring to the level of use as an 
epidemic. People are dying from the drug and not just the users! 
Innocent people are being murdered by those under the influence. Some 
80 percent of all the crime in our county is, in some way, attributed 
to this drug.

No story could be more tragic than that of the newborn twins in 
Lompoc who were allegedly smothered to death when their father, in a 
meth-induced stupor, rolled over them in his sleep. What high could 
be worth risking the lives of your children?

What high can be worth burning holes in your brain? What can be worth 
rotting all of your teeth because of the acid in the drug? Why would 
anyone risk losing every meaningful relationship in their life as the 
drug completely takes control, causing the addict to steal what they 
can from their own loved ones? What could be worth living with common 
delusions of insects crawling under your skin that cause you to pick 
at yourself until you bleed?

Apparently, the high is like no other. But then again, so is the 
crash that comes afterward. And the ensuing damage to the brain and 
the body precipitated by the abuse means a complete recovery from the 
effects of addiction are rare, if not impossible. These people are 
ingesting in one form or another anhydrous ammonia (found in 
fertilizers), red phosphorus (found on matchboxes) and lithium (found 
in batteries).

I am not sure what to think of our society that a drug that is so 
powerful and so destructive would appeal to anyone. I showed my kids 
some of the photos of addicts on the web with the hope that I could 
scare the hell out of them. They ran out of the room aghast and 
horrified from the effect of the potent images. I think it worked. 
Hopefully, they will steer clear of the dragon - the name by which 
meth users refer to the drug on the street.

If you want to hear the same presentation I heard on this subject you 
will have a golden opportunity on Thursday, April 27, at the 
Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside St.. from 6 to 8 p.m. A 
group of professionals will be presenting "Alcohol to Marijuana to 
the Kiss of Death - Meth." I hope as many people as possible plan to 
attend this presentation that will be presented by Dr. Carrick Adam, 
Sr. Deputy Sandra Brown, Judges Art Garcia and Rogelio Florez, and 
Santa Maria Police Sgt. Jerel Haley.

Parents need to be aware of this epidemic and have a long talk with 
their kids. Additionally, it would be helpful if every school in this 
area would host a similar presentation as part of their effort to 
educate students about one of the most destructive behaviors imaginable.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman