Further Reflections

A DESTROYER WITHOUT PITY

This letter is to introduce you to a figure that has become familiar to my
family.

He first met our daughter at a social event where there was music, dancing
and partying. She liked him right away. Liked is a weak term - loved and
adored are better descriptions. She knew we wouldn't approve, so she only
saw him on weekends for a while. Then she started sneaking out to meet
hirn on weeknights now and then. Pretty soon she was seeing him every day
and even sneaking him into our home.

Finally he had such control over her that she quit her job, stole money
and possessions from her family and gave up everything to be totally alone
with him. When all her money was gone and she realized what she had done,
she came home and introduced this new friend to our family.

We were not impressed by his charms. We were, in fact, sickened and
appalled. We threw him out, forbade our daughter to see him again and
sent her to a safe place away from his influence. But we underestimated
his hold on our daughter, and twice he lured her away - twice we brought
her back to safe places.

It's been 60-plus days since she last was with him, but we know that each
day is a struggle for her to stay away from him.

So this letter is not just an introduction but a warning. This is not
someone you want your family to meet. In fact, you need to do all you can
to keep him away from your home, your schools and your neighborhood.

He will steal away your family. He has no pity - he is a destroyer. He
will appear innocent at first, but he is a deadly deceiver. If he gets
his hands on a member of your family, he will never let go. He will teach
them to lie, to steal, to manipulate, to use violence. He will ask them
to sacrifice family, friends, jobs, possessions and health and they will
leap to do it. He will use them to bring in more victims.

He will change your child into a person you won't recognize. He will take
and take and take. He gives also - he gives heartache, brain disorders,
heart attacks, insanity and sometimes death. Once he creates a bond with
a family member, only death severs it. Forever that person is drawn, as
if by a siren's call, to the promise of good times. Forever that person
must be on guard constantly to protect herself against his pull.

So as a way of introduction - let me say flee. Don't try to get up close
and personal. His reputation, if anything, is understated. Throw up a
barricade, bring out all your defense. Protect yourself and pray that
this is the closest you ever get to meeting methamphetamine.

- - Kathy Fetters, Des Moines.

FURTHER REFLECTIONS are thoughts submitted by Register readers.