METH SUMMIT: STUDENTS LEARN DRUG DANGERS

Four William Blount High School Students Learned About Meth Tuesday
And Plan To Share Their Knowledge With Their School And Community.

Tyler Hughes, freshman; Meghin Clark, freshman; Monica Malone,
sophomore, and Tabby Stott, junior, represented William Blount and
Blount County at the Meth Destroys Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville.

Gov. Phil Bredesen, Blount County District Attorney General Mike
Flynn, other district attorneys and 150 students gathered to talk
about how they can raise awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine
in their communities.

The students heard several speakers talk about meth, including
recovering addicts, children whose families have been affected by
meth, health-care personnel and district attorneys. They also
assembled backpacks for children taken from their homes because of
meth. The students said that was their favorite part of the summit.

Clark said she really enjoyed helping other children by filling the
packs. They filled each backpack with personal hygiene items, toys,
stuffed animals and blankets. She also learned these material items
aren't the only needs of children whose lives are torn apart by meth.

"I learned that we need more foster parents, because there are a lot
of kids that are getting taken from their homes, and there is really
not that many people to take the kids in," Clark said.

'Takes away your soul'

Malone said she was aware Blount County was experiencing problems
from meth addiction but did not know about other areas of Tennessee
being effected.

"It really opens your eyes, because you know it's here, but you don't
know it's over in West Tennessee and in areas you don't even know
about," Malone said.

Hughes said the one thing that stood out most to him at the summit
was a poster that said, "Meth takes away your soul and you don't have
anything else."

"There's a bunch of people doing meth -- and once you do it one time,
you can't go back," Hughes said.

The students said they are taking information they learned from the
summit and using it to educate their classmates on meth.

Back at WBHS

They hope to have a school assembly next year about the dangers of
meth. They said a meth abuser and her daughter, whom they met at the
conference, had agreed to speak at the assembly.

The students plan to make posters illustrating the horrible effects
of meth and to distribute informative brochures at their school. They
are also hoping to have a classroom contest where each homeroom would
make backpacks for children taken from their homes.

Stott said she thinks it is important to educate other students and
the community on the effects of methamphetamine.

"We don't have to be adults to organize a program," Stott said. "Us
four can band together and make a difference. We can get people
excited and get the knowledge out there that people have overlooked
for so long."

The Meth Destroys Youth Leadership Conference was hosted by the
Tennessee District Attorney General Conference. All students who
attended the summit are members of the Meth Destroys Youth Leadership
council. Any students wishing to join the council can apply at
www.MethFreeTN.org.