ACCEPTING THE PROBLEM AND DEALING WITH IT

Methamphetamine. Sometimes referred to as crank, ice or even gas. We
call it a killer.

It's a killer of human emotion; it's a killer of families; it's a
killer of professions; it's a killer of hope; it's a killer of the
human spirit; and it's a killer of people ... over time, agonizingly,
addictively and most certainly.

While no one wants to hear bad news, nor read about it, nor be a part
of it, the reality is we cannot -- must not -- bury our heads in the
sand and pretend that this growing problem isn't impacting us here in
Sampson County.

It doesn't mean there's something wrong with our county, there's not;
and it doesn't mean we aren't doing great things here -- we are. What
it means is that a societal problem impacting so many across this
state and nation has weaseled its way into our midst, taken hold of
our friends, family members, neighbors and acquaintances and won't
release its firm grip.

What it means is that we must accept that we have a problem and deal with it.

In many ways we are. Our Meth Task Force is comprised of a group of
dedicated, determined individuals intent on finding a way to curb the
need, reduce the accessibility and find ways to heal those who get
caught in its grasp.

It's no easy task, but it's also not insurmountable, unless, of
course, we refuse to believe what the facts bear out -- more and more
clandestine labs are being found and destroyed, and more and more
people are setting them up in places that put their families and
often neighbors in danger's reach.

All it takes is reading our newspaper nearly every week to realize
that meth is alive and well in our county, injecting itself in the
lives of people you might never imagine would be impacted by such a
powerful, addictive drug.

And, while many would criticize the need for publication of every
arrest, every dismantling of a lab, we would argue strongly that
understanding that there is a problem is the first step to battling it.

We would rather there were no problem and therefore no reason to
inform the public of anything but the good news that happens in our
communities. But the realities are a lot different than that, and we,
as the eyes and ears for the community and as the public record, have
an obligation to let you know about the good, for certain, but about
the problems as well.

There's no shame in admitting we have a meth problem, but there is
shame in burying our head and refusing to accept the reality or,
worse still, ignoring the problem in hopes it will simply go away.

It won't, not unless we tackle it head on, keep talking about its
causes, harping on the consequences and shouting loudly about the
solutions that can make a difference.

Meth is a problem. It is a killer. And it is up to us, together, to
face that problem and kill it before it has a chance to destroy us.