WAR ON DRUGS MOVES TO COUNTY'S SCHOOLS

A recovering methamphetamine addict who has been clean for two years
joined the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department and Drug Task Force
recently to tell students how drugs can destroy lives. Clark Combs
said his problem started as a teenager when he began having a few
beers with friends. "When I was about 16 years old, alcohol is the
first thing I tried and I thought it was going to be all right,"
Combs recalled. "I drank a few beers. It became a problem too. It is
a gateway drug. Alcohol led me to smoking marijuana. I had heard
the word 'addict' or 'alcoholic,' but those were weak-minded
persons, somebody different from me." In his early 20s, Combs was
introduced to methamphetamine by a co-worker when he had a job
laying tile. He had tried cocaine, but the high from cocaine lasted
only a few minutes, while the high from meth may last days.

After 13 DUIs, Combs wanted to lick his drinking problem. He even
took meth to "cover up" his drinking. He lost several jobs and often
found himself not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. In 2001,
Combs himself was hit by a drunk driver and suffered broken ribs and
other injuries. "I was in pretty bad shape," he said. "I wasn't
really thinking about whether or not I was going to live then, all I
was thinking about where I was going to get more dope. And when I
was laying in the hospital room, I was still able to reach the phone
and dial the numbers. I started calling to get some dope." Combs
said he received a nice insurance settlement because of this
accident and people started coming out of the woodwork to
inquire about his condition.

"They wanted to help me spend that money on dope," he said. For a
few months, it was one big party until the money ran out. Combs
pointed to one side of the bleachers where students were sitting.
"There were this many people in my house at one time smoking
dope," Combs said. "When you've got that many people in your living
room, you've got a problem." In 2002, Combs was arrested in Etowah
County, and in 2004, he was arrested in Cherokee County, where he
remained in jail for more than a year. "Back when I was using, I was
always afraid you would tell on me. I would call you a snitch. I
would like to meet that person today who snitched on me for one
reason. That person saved my life." Combs said he became involved in
Narcotics Anonymous, the local Celebrate Recovery and other programs
to help him stay clean. He now uses his experiences to
encourage others not to take the same path. Combs
challenged students to let him know if they or someone they
know has a d! rug problem. "If you have a family member or somebody
that is on dope, tell them they need to get some help," he said. "By
calling the police or someone else, you are not doing anything to
them. You are doing something for them, I promise you." While Combs
and the officers made their presentations, Cherokee
County Narcotics Dog Casey and Cherokee County Deputy and Trainer
Chris O'Neal did a sweep through the school on a random search.
Cherokee County Sheriff Larry Wilson said O'Neal and Casey searched
all rooms and lockers in the school, accompanied by Principal Paul
McWhorter. The program was part of operation Clandestine Drug Labs,
which are being staged at schools in the county. "We just want to
get everybody's attention to let them know we are going to be coming
in and out, checking the schools regularly," he said.