SPEAKER SHARES PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE DANGER

"If You Kick The Habit, You'll Likely Battle The Addiction For The
Rest Of Your Life" Eric Renegar, Anti-Meth Speaker

BEAVER FALLS - Between segments of music and humor, Eric Renegar on
Tuesday told high school students at Beaver River Central School about
the dangers of methamphetamine use.

"You use this drug two to three times and, most probably, you'll never
come off it," Mr. Renegar said. "If you do kick the habit, you'll
likely battle the addiction for the rest of your life."

Mr. Renegar's sister, Tammy, 36, now lives in a nursing home after
suffering brain damage from repeated methamphetamine use. And both her
husband and subsequent boyfriend killed people while under the
influence of the drug.

"For me it hit close to home," he said. "I told my mother that I can't
help Tammy, but maybe there can be something good that can come from
this tragedy."

It's an epidemic like you wouldn't believe," he added, noting that
meth lab seizures in his home state of Tennessee rose from 800 in 2000
to 1,800 last year.

Jefferson County in 2003 had 22 meth lab busts, the second most in the
state.

Security upgrades in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks
have made it more difficult to smuggle drugs such as cocaine and
heroin, " Mr. Renegar said, while meth is made with common household
products.

Meth provides a longer "high" than crack cocaine and is about five
times more addictive, Mr. Renegar said.

Meth raises the body's level of dopamine, the chemical that causes
pleasure and arousal, Mr. Renegar said. However, after three to eight
hours, that level drops dramatically, causing three to six days of
sleeplessness and up to 60 days of withdrawal. Continued use of the
drug will raise the body's dopamine level but never as high as the
first time, he said.

As part of his research Mr. Renegar consulted with a former meth
cook.

"The one thing I picked up from him is how many times he messed up,"
Mr. Renegar said, noting that mistakes in the meth-making process can
create a lethal product.

He also learned that the primary targets of meth dealers are slightly
overweight or insecure teenage girls who are seeking ways to improve
their appearance.

Mr. Renegar said his sister now weights 340 pounds because of the
drugs effect on her metabolism.

One of the ways to spot a meth user is that "they stink," Mr. Renegar
said, reinforcing his point by carrying a pair of smelly socks through
one section of the audience. Blacken teeth and pimple breakouts are
also symptoms of meth use, he said.

Mr. Renegar was offered meth once during his teenage years but
declined.

"I really don't believe I'd be standing here today if I had taken that
drug that day," he said.

Mr. Renegar did use other illicit drugs, however, and as a high school
senior in 1990, he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the face
with a .30 caliber rifle.

Since 1995, he's conducted drug-and suicide-prevention assemblies
throughout the country, including several in Lewis County in October
2003.

As in 2003, Mr. Renegar's 6-year-old son, Lewis, on Tuesday warmed up
the crowd by playing drums to several rock songs.

"Lewis is still the whole message," Mr. Renegar said, noting that
continued drug use would have kept him from experiencing the joys of
fatherhood.

Beaver River Middle High School Principal Kenneth W. Proulx after the
assembly commended Mr. Renegar for his ability to entertain the
students while getting his message across.

"And it's certainly an important message," he said. "I'd rather be
part of a proactive strategy than a reactive strategy."

Mr. Renegar on Monday and Tuesday spoke to community members here and
suicide awareness assemblies for middle school students here and for
high school students at Harrisville Central School.