DRUG EXPERTS DETAIL METH'S DEADLY CYCLE

Maureen Smith, an assistant U.S. attorney in Sherman, and Vic Routh, an
18-year veteran of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, spent time in Steve
Cherry's Criminal Justice classroom at Denison High School educating
students on the devastating effects of methamphetamine.

The meth experts detailed the tragic downhill spiral of people who choose
to use the illegal and often fatal drug. Routh told students that the
long-term losses were severe and often irreversible, including chronic
depression, anxiety, memory loss, stroke, liver damage, paranoia,
hallucinations and sometimes death. They also said meth is one of the
world's most addictive drugs.

"Statistics show that meth addicts also have an increased incidence of HIV
and hepatitis," said Routh. "Severe and disfiguring dental problems and
skin infections are also commonplace. When addicts smoke the drug, the
corrosive smoke and constant grinding severely disfigure the teeth .. many
actually lose their teeth. The memory losses are similar to early Alzheimer's."

Smith and Routh distributed an article among the students entitled "Paying
a Price for Pleasure." Included in the section "Crash, Burn, Repeat ..."
was a detailed account of the deadly cycle of abuse "Meth makes you feel
like the king of the world. Users often binge, staying high for days
without sleep or sustenance. As the drug wears off, the addict feels
drained, helpless and deeply depressed. Long-term use erodes both the body
and the mind."

Cherry says he periodically brings criminal justice professionals into his
classes to give meaning to the many real-life situations and problems
students will encounter if they choose to enter the criminology workforce.

"We have guest speakers in virtually every field of law enforcement," said
Cherry. "We also host an annual criminology and criminal justice conference
in conjunction with Grayson College each year that brings together some of
the best law enforcement minds in the nation. Several lead investigators
have detailed their work on some of the most high profile murder cases in
Texas at these conferences. Our program is rapidly growing, and we're
expanding every year to meet our students' needs."