GEORGIA SHERIFF'S METH PHOTOS STUN CROWD

VANNA -- A former methamphetamine user cringed and stroked her
daughter's face as a Georgia sheriff told others about the horrors of
using the drug. Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland, speaking to about
150 people at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Vanna, in Elbert
County, talked for about 60 minutes, mixing humor and horror as he
described the addiction and its consequences. Also speaking were
other investigators and several former meth users. The program was
part of an outreach effort by the sheriff to inform the community
about the dangers and problem of meth.

The drug is spreading rapidly, filling jails and leading to an
increase in burglaries as users search for a way to buy it, he said.
Kelli Franks of Vanna didn't need to be reminded.

Before the meeting began, she said meth "looks like a party thing.
That's the trap." Ms. Franks said her addiction began with her first
use, and it took "seven years to get free."

The path was not easy, she said. "I got busted and lost everything."

Sheriff Cleveland stunned the crowd with images of users -- before
using meth and after a few years of addiction. Scarred faces, missing
and decayed teeth, and body sores were common sights.

Earlier, Betty Butler of Royston and Hayleigh Lewis, 16, of Hartwell
were among those filling the church. Ms. Butler said she didn't
understand the drug and wanted to know more.

Ms. Lewis was about to hear the presentation for a second time. The
drug appears to be less of a problem at school than alcohol, she
said. But "it's amazing to look at the pictures," she said. "The
features (of meth users) change, and they age so much."

Sheriff Cleveland told the crowd that 200 users have been arrested in
Hart County. Ms. Franks and one other person are the only two who
have managed to overcome their addiction.

Other arrests have ranged in age from 14 years to a grandfather, who
was charged with trafficking the drug, he said.

"And if you're even caught with a trace amount, it's a felony,"
Sheriff Cleveland said.

Ms. Butler said she plans to spread his message. "I intend to," she said.