CONFRONTING HORROR OF METH ADDICTION

Have you seen the ads featuring the before-and-after mug shots of
meth addicts? The photos are staggering.

These people look like they have aged 20 years in a matter of months.
Their lives are destroyed. Their brains are permanently damaged. And
they have probably committed a number of crimes, either while under
the influence or to raise money to obtain their next high.

In a short amount of time, you can expect to not be able to pick up
any number of non-prescription drugs that contain the ingredients to
make meth, unless you are willing to wait in line at the pharmacy
window. That is because law enforcement agencies nationwide are
desperate to keep the key ingredients of meth out of the hands of addicts.

The issue here is that meth isn't brought in from far away places
like Colombia or Afghanistan. Many of the addicts produce the drug
for themselves in makeshift laboratories that are both compact and
mobile, using chemicals that are readily available. I recently heard
a presentation by a local law enforcement agent who specializes in
meth. The sheriff's deputy who made the presentation referred to the
total path of destruction this drug leaves in the wake of the addict
and the unfortunate souls who come across the path of the addicts.
Meth use is so prevalent in our society that law enforcement and
community health experts are referring to the level of use as an
epidemic. People are dying from the drug and not just the users!
Innocent people are being murdered by those under the influence. Some
80 percent of all the crime in our county is, in some way, attributed
to this drug.

No story could be more tragic than that of the newborn twins in
Lompoc who were allegedly smothered to death when their father, in a
meth-induced stupor, rolled over them in his sleep. What high could
be worth risking the lives of your children?

What high can be worth burning holes in your brain? What can be worth
rotting all of your teeth because of the acid in the drug? Why would
anyone risk losing every meaningful relationship in their life as the
drug completely takes control, causing the addict to steal what they
can from their own loved ones? What could be worth living with common
delusions of insects crawling under your skin that cause you to pick
at yourself until you bleed?

Apparently, the high is like no other. But then again, so is the
crash that comes afterward. And the ensuing damage to the brain and
the body precipitated by the abuse means a complete recovery from the
effects of addiction are rare, if not impossible. These people are
ingesting in one form or another anhydrous ammonia (found in
fertilizers), red phosphorus (found on matchboxes) and lithium (found
in batteries).

I am not sure what to think of our society that a drug that is so
powerful and so destructive would appeal to anyone. I showed my kids
some of the photos of addicts on the web with the hope that I could
scare the hell out of them. They ran out of the room aghast and
horrified from the effect of the potent images. I think it worked.
Hopefully, they will steer clear of the dragon - the name by which
meth users refer to the drug on the street.

If you want to hear the same presentation I heard on this subject you
will have a golden opportunity on Thursday, April 27, at the
Betteravia Government Center, 511 E. Lakeside St.. from 6 to 8 p.m. A
group of professionals will be presenting "Alcohol to Marijuana to
the Kiss of Death - Meth." I hope as many people as possible plan to
attend this presentation that will be presented by Dr. Carrick Adam,
Sr. Deputy Sandra Brown, Judges Art Garcia and Rogelio Florez, and
Santa Maria Police Sgt. Jerel Haley.

Parents need to be aware of this epidemic and have a long talk with
their kids. Additionally, it would be helpful if every school in this
area would host a similar presentation as part of their effort to
educate students about one of the most destructive behaviors imaginable.