MAN TALKS ABOUT METH

A Former Deputy Sheriff Spoke at Armuchee High About the Dangers Of Meth.

A decade of alerting Northwest Georgians to the dangers of
methamphetamines has given Jesse W. Hambrick a rare insight into the
dangers surrounding the highly addictive drug.

"I would consider it an epidemic," he said, adding that it is likely
that by the end of the year every Georgian will know someone affected
by meth use. "I think it's one of the greatest community concerns
that we face right now."

Hambrick spoke to a group of about 50 students, parents and educators
about the growing meth problem at a special Monday evening program at
Armuchee High School.

This was Hambrick's second visit to the Armuchee school system. After
a smaller session last spring, Armuchee Middle School Principal
William Gilbert decided the message was important enough to bring him back.

"We all know that this area of Northwest Georgia is a high meth use
area." Gilbert said. "People need to be aware."

Kay Hames, who attended with sons Zach, 13, and Chris, 10, said she'd
heard of the drug but didn't know how widespread the problem has
become. "I knew it was around, but I never realized it was right
under our noses."

Hames said she wished more people had attended Monday's lecture.
"It's something that everyone should know about," she said.

Hambrick said parents are often unaware there's a problem. "People
don't realize that there's a need for them to be at an event like
this," he said.

Pansy Huston, who has grandchildren in Armuchee schools, said she
knows all too well of the meth problem. "I just think it's the worst
thing that has ever happened to our young people," she said.

Huston came out Monday because she wanted "to know all I can about it
so I can help with the problem that we have, because it's getting out of hand."

Hambrick first started lecturing on meth as a deputy sheriff in
Bartow County. He noticed a lack of community education on the
problem and put together a presentation. "The demand was just there,
and it took off," he said.

In addition to his current position as a special investigator for the
Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Hambrick now runs Georgia Drug
Education and Consulting.

He estimates through lectures to churches, schools and civic groups,
he's helped educate more than 30,000 law enforcement officers and
community members about the dangers and signs of meth use.