'COST OF METH' A HUGE SUCCESS

PLYMOUTH - More than 120 people packed Christo's Banquet Center in
Plymouth on Tuesday for an emotional and educational evening.

Part one of the Cost of Meth series, organized by the Local
Coordinating Council for Drug-Free Marshall County (LCC), touched on
the individual impacts of methamphetamine to residents in the county.
The audience heard from several members of local law enforcement and
had a chance to see the ingredients of a meth lab first hand.

The group also listened to personal testimonials from two recovering
meth addicts and the mother of an addict. The night ended with an
informal question and answer session between the audience and a panel
of experts.

The workshop was scheduled to end at 8 p.m., but most of the crowd
stayed until almost 9 p.m.

LCC Chair Brandy Wright was ecstatic about the turnout. "This is so
encouraging," she said. "I hope even more people can make it to part
two of our series next week, same time, same place."

Part two of the Cost of Meth on Tuesday, May 2, will focus on how
meth affects the community's children, businesses, environment and
legal system. Experts will also talk about the treatment options, or
lack thereof, in Marshall County and Indiana.

Next week, doors will open and refreshments will be served at 5:30
p.m. for the workshop. Speakers are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and
the evening will conclude with a panel discussion.