GUEST COLUMN: METH HAS GRASP ON COMMUNITY

When I moved to Albert Lea to take on the position of the staff
photojournalist at the Tribune, I did so without knowing a single soul.

While searching for jobs before landing the one in Albert Lea, I spent a
considerable amount of time researching the biographies of the world's most
prominent and honored "Jacks" of the photojournalist trade. An overwhelming
number of their biographies stated that local pubs, bars and saloons, as
well as churches, were good places to find out what's happening in a community.

The repetition of these community hangouts convinced me of the validity of
the photojournalists' claims.

Since I'm not the church-going type, I decided I'd start frequenting the
local watering holes. Within weeks I met dozens of people. Some names and
faces became quite familiar and friendships quickly starting forming.
Willingly or not, each person I befriended soon became a link in the chain
of networking.

Meeting as many people as possible was my hidden agenda while sipping on my
cold, frothy beverages. For every person I met out on the town, I knew they
had the potential of introducing me to at least three other people. And
people equal friends, contacts, resources and stories. It's an exponential
equation.

Within weeks I noticed a repeating pattern reoccurring with some of the locals.

There were several times that I would find myself in that all-too-familiar
state of awkwardness and uncomfortableness when meeting people. A lack of
common conversation topics brought on the uneasiness. These new
acquaintances would soon disappear without warning, leaving me sitting
there alone, watching whatever sporting event was being showcased on the
boob tube hanging from the ceiling.

But after a half hour or so, the new face or faces of the night would
return and strike up conversation with me.

It wasn't a surprise to me that these new acquaintances were getting up,
leaving and returning to take up a friendly interest in me and my stories.
The thing that caught my attention was that some of these people would come
back and talk at such a fast pace, where before conversation had been
sporadic at best.

The awkwardness of meeting a new person was suddenly gone because the
individual(s) would continue to talk through the uneasiness. All I had to
do was listen.

At first I thought maybe the new acquaintances did some shots and the
alcohol was kicking in, causing them to become over-friendly. But it just
didn't seem normal as far as normal bar behavior goes. And after going to
college for a good seven years, I think it's safe to say that I have a
pretty solid concept of "normal bar behavior." I could've probably claimed
it as a minor.

It eventually sunk in that several of these people were using something
other than alcohol. And after taking pictures of a couple of houses that
were the sites of meth busts for my job and getting to know more people who
weren't afraid to talk about other people's business, it became evident
what was truly happening.

The topic of meth in this community was first brought to my attention
during lunch on the day of my interview with the Tribune. I was now
literally looking it straight in the eye.

My first impression of meth, before meeting some of its users, was that
only so-called "white-trash" used the drug. This stereotypical class used
the drug because it was cheap and somewhat easy to make. I was wrong.

After being thrown into the community as a photojournalist and pursuing the
desire to dig deeper into the specific topic of meth, I soon realized that
all walks of life and stereotypes use the drug. It doesn't matter if the
person is a professional, factory worker, service person, business owner,
on welfare, wealthy, a parent, student, dropout, scholar or your neighbor.
Meth has more of a grasp on this community than a lot of people want to
believe.

There is actually quite a subculture of meth users in this community. I
would bet that most people come in contact with a meth user at least once a
week and not even know it.

The common conception of the drug only being used by a certain segment of
the population consisting of evil and dirty people is way off. I have met a
number of nice, smart and sincere people who use or have used the drug.

In fact, I haven't met a typical "white trash" person who I know for sure
uses the drug.

If you believe the drug poses a serious threat to this community - which I
do - just remember: it's not the people, it's the drug.

And like all drugs, it knows no boundaries. It lurks in every race, class
and creed.

(Jeffrey J. Marmorstone was a photojournalist for the Albert Lea Tribune.)