METH: A RURAL EPIDEMIC

Methamphetamine is everywhere. At your neighbor's house, at your job, in the
pocket of the person walking down the street and in the schools.

"We see a reflection of the county and community (in the schools). We'd be
naive to believe that it didn't exist here," said Al Root, principal of
Albert Lea High School. He said meth has become more available for students
than even alcohol or marijuana.

But according to the ALHS police liaison officer, Ted Herman, meth use is
actually declining in the schools. Because meth education is now included in
many health classes and drug education pieces, students have become more
aware of its negative effects and choose not to use. "People are talking,
kids are talking," said ALHS social worker Kim Danner. There are also
brochures at the school outlining the dangers of meth and the community's
response. "Kids are starting to understand," she said.

Yet there is still potential for kids to turn to meth after they've grown
bored with other drugs.

"I think meth is still there," Herman said. "Kids are more opt to say 'no'
to meth because they know it's bad. But they will try marijuana," he said,
or drink or smoke instead. "The No. 1 gateway drug in the United States is
nicotine."

Allowing for any chemical use or abuse will only exacerbate the problem and
lead many kids to using even more destructive drugs like meth.

"We can't lose sight that these other things are bad," he said.

Students who use meth can be pegged out from others by distinctive patterns
of behavior.

"Weight loss is the biggest thing we notice," Root said. Some students use
it like speed or as a

diet drug. There is also scarring and the student doesn't get as much sleep
so they skip school, Root said. Students who once received straight-As begin
to struggle with grades and develop problems processing information. Meth
users also have darkened eyes and tend to stare right through a person. They
are physically and emotionally disconnected from the world and don't care
what happens to themselves, Herman said.

Reasons for doing meth vary with every student. "They are going through the
adolescent phase. A lot of it is peer pressure, they want to fit in. There's
a lot of pressure to reform to whatever their groups' morals are," Root
said. Sometimes it's an emotional issue. "Their life sucks, according to
them. They've been smoking dope but the high has gotten old so they try
meth," he said.

Most students do not manufacture the drug, but receive it from friends,
Herman said. They do it at parties or while hanging out with friends.

Routine lock-downs with the Albert Lea Police Department, Drug Task Force
and K-9 units help monitor and dissuade drug use. "Students need to realize
a locker is school property and we have a right to go in there. This is an
educational facility and the main purpose is education and creating a
drug-free environment," Root said.

If a student is found in possession of meth or another drug, counselors and
parents are notified and professional services or rehabilitation is
suggested to help the students with their addiction.

The student also undergoes a "change of placement" which bans them from
attending school but allows them to continue their education. But such
interventions don't always work. "We see so many kids do great at drug
rehabs and then fall back into same friendships," Root said. "It's not their
fault. They're thrown back into the same environment," he said.

School faculty can help spot the problem and intervene, but helping students
overcome an addiction to meth requires the involvement of parents and
guardians. "It comes back to knowing what your kids are up to," Herman said.
"In every society's problem, no matter what it is, when it comes to children
the parents need to be involved. They need to be checking their kids' rooms
and cars and make sure they're where they're supposed to be. They need to be
physically active in their children's life to prevent this," he said.

"The school can't raise our kids, we have to raise our own."

Danner urges parents to take action. "Educate yourself, know what you're
looking for and take action, (don't) just hope it goes away. Be open with
your kids and keep your eyes open," she said. It's important for parents to
keep communicating with their children, Danner said. "Talk to your kids
about drugs, what they're hearing or seeing, if they're having concerns
about friends."

Resources parents may turn to if they detect a problem is their primary
physician for physical check-ups or drug testing, the local police
department, Chemical Dependency Center, Fountain Centers and Parent WarmLine
which is an anonymous line for parents who need advice.

It's important to educate kids on the effects of meth and try to prevent the
use of meth. Some don't realize how harmful meth is until it's too late.

"Nine times out of 10 you're hooked for life," Herman said.

"It's a different kind of drug," Root said.

"The potential for lifelong consequences ... is frightening."