'KIDS KNOW' OF WIDESPREAD DRUGS IN SCHOOL, AGENT SAYS

Parents Meet In New Hope, Worried About Meth Problem

NEW HOPE - If you want some eye-opening information about
methamphetamine, ask your children, drug agents told parents in New
Hope Thursday night.

One expert said he was recently shocked when he asked his 15-year-old
daughter about drug use at her school.

"Daddy, I can count on one hand those who aren't using drugs," the
daughter said.

The drug agent told the story while speaking to about 100 people who
showed up at the New Hope High School gym for the second of four
forums called "Don't Meth Around" being held in Madison County this
month.

"If you ask your kids who is on meth at their school and they say
nobody, it's time to be concerned, because they're probably not being
truthful," said Sgt. Michael Salomonski, a former drug investigator
who now is a sheriff's patrol supervisor. "The kids know."

Methamphetamine reportedly played a role in the shooting death of
Grant Police Chief Verlon Lemaster on Aug. 15. Two New Hope High
School students are being held on capital murder charges in the
slaying, but the case wasn't mentioned Thursday night.

A number of people at the forum said they know first hand how
devastating the drug is in their community and they are frustrated
trying to find help. One couple said they have three sons in their 20s
who are addicted..

"It's not as hopeless as you may think," said Telly Lanier of the
Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Center. One of the most
important things in getting help is to seek it early.

"If you see any type of change in your young person, investigate it,"
he said. "Go in their room, talk to their friends."

Lanier said long-term treatments appear to be the most
successful.

"I thought withdrawal from heroin was the worst thing I'd ever seen
until I ran into a tweaker," he said. A tweaker is someone who has
used meth non-stop for three to 15 days.

"It was the second most nasty comedown I'd ever seen since heroin,"
Lanier said as he described oozing sores and chemical smell of the
drug coming through the person's skin.

Another important factor in whether treatment will help depends on the
abuser, he said. "There is hope," he said. "But the first step is he
or she has to admit there is a problem."

Parents can put children under 18 into treatment. For those older,
treatment must be their decision.

Sometimes, Lanier said, the only option is to call
police.

"It's not something anyone wants to do," he said. "Sometimes, it may
be the only option."