UK PROFS ADVOCATE METH AWARENESS ON AE

Methamphetamine doesn't just harm its users - it also puts their
children's lives in danger, two UK professors said in a television appearance.

Two UK professors were scheduled to appear on the A&E Classroom
channel to discuss the issue in a two-part series called "A Question
of Life or Meth." Part one aired yesterday morning, and part two
aired this morning at 4.

Dr. Susan Pollack, a pediatrician and professor in UK's pediatrics
department, and Dr. Jim Cecil, a dentist and professor in the College
of Dentistry, were both featured in the series.

Pollack said she appeared on the show to educate people on the
harmful effects of meth.

"It's a significant problem," she said. "People are cooking it in their homes."

Her focus is particularly on children, who could be unintentionally
harmed as a result of parents who are making meth in their homes.

"Children are in big danger of being blown up or poisoned," Pollack said.

Pollack wants people to understand the problems and know what they
can do to help.

She said she and her colleagues were contacted by A&E because they
have been working on following kids who have been exposed to meth.

Pollack said a grant enabled the formation of the Drug and Endangered
Child Training Network, a program coordinated by Holly Hopper, a
member of the Medical Research Council and coordinator for substance
abuse issues in the UK College of Agriculture.

The Appalachian Regional Commission and Unite funded the program in
order to help children who are affected by methamphetamine use.

"We're trying to ensure Kentucky children get the evaluation and
treatment they need," Pollack said.

Cecil's focus is also on helping children and making sure people
become more aware of the problem.

He said the use of the drug is a big problem in the state and
elsewhere for a variety of reasons.

"It's cheap. It's available. It's very addictive," Cecil said.

He also wants people to realize that it is something that can affect
pretty much anyone in the state, although it is a bigger problem in some areas.

"It's probably more prevalent in the western part of the state,"
Cecil said. He said the substance was imported from the West but is
becoming more and more of a problem further east as well.

Cecil said his main goal is to help children.

"My concern is the welfare of the children," he said. "That's my interest."