METH USERS DRAG DOWN FAMILIES, COMMUNITY

Carol Clayton, who works with women at Klamath Alcohol and Drug Abuse,
talks about the effects of methamphetamine use on drug addicts

Methamphetamine users don't suffer the effects of their addiction alone.

In many cases, drug counselors say, the families and friends of users pay a
heavy price as well.

Ask anyone in law enforcement, the court system, or the mental health
profession. They all agree meth is tearing Klamath County communities apart.

Despite the apparent damage, no statistics are available for just how big
of an impact meth has, because the Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn't
compile methamphetamine statistics, primarily because methamphetamine is
not seen as a problem on the East Coast.

Reports indicate meth causes sleep deprivation, anger problems,
hallucinations and mood alterations. But eye witnesses say the damage goes
far beyond that.

"I saw someone in a treatment center who couldn't even stop moving," said
Dave Crutchfield, who has worked in both a professional and volunteer
capacity with methamphetamine addicts in Klamath Falls. "It causes
stupidity, violence and delusions," he said.

Crutchfield saw how it changed the people -- both inside and out.

"Time and again I hear them say `I love my kids, but when I'm on meth I
don't care if they're there or not 'cause I want to get high,' " he said.
"They only care about themselves at the time."

Kiki Parker, Klamath County Parole and Probation supervisor, saw other
physical effects.

"Many have Hepatitis ... mostly Hepatitis C, and then the immune system's
shot so the person is always sick. It's almost like rotting from the inside
out, with sores all over their faces and arms, open sores and rotten teeth."

She said while the women on methamphetamine often allow themselves to
remain victims of domestic, men are often the abusers because
methamphetamine aggravates their anger.

Although drug abuse is often associated with young people, with
methamphetamine this is not always the case. "It gets everybody: older
people and kids," Crutchfield said. "It hits like a plague."

Methamphetamine came into the United States during the late 1980s and early
1990s from Mexico to Southern California. According to the Drug Enforcement
Administration, manufacturers moved many of their operations up to Northern
California to avoid law enforcement.

Klamath County Judge Richard Rambo, who presides over an alternative drug
court that allows drug violators to receive treatment instead of jail time,
said nearly 90 percent of those who go through drug court are meth users.

"Many of those who come through my drug court have abused methamphetamine,
and they aren't just young men. Many parents in this community also use the
drug," Rambo said.

Klamath County District Attorney Ed Caleb said crime would decrease by
nearly 80 percent if drugs and alcohol were taken away. And Caleb said
about 75 percent of the drug cases overall (not just drug court cases)
involve methamphetamine.

Major Woodrow Pollock of the Klamath County Sheriff's Office said the drug
that can be linked most to violent crimes is methamphetamine.

"This is the nastiest of drugs," Pollock said. "People on meth lose the
ability to handle frustrations. It is the root of most property and
personal crimes in the county. These people are completely different when
they are off the drugs.

"Another thing is that these people, when on meth, can't feel pain and it
makes it a lot more difficult for us to deal with them. Meth causes an
overload in our public health and judicial system and it costs tax payers
money," he said.

"People are dying and families are being destroyed. We are doing all we can
to keep our heads above water with this problem. Overall, meth is a major
plague on our system and society."

Carol Clayton, who works with women at Klamath Alcohol and Drug Abuse, said
she sees a growing number of them come through her doors daily using
methamphetamine as their drug of choice to handle weight problems,
exhaustion, and getting through the daily grind with increased energy.

Because of its impact on relationships, she said very few of the women are
married, though many have children. The abusers, once hooked, will use
anything they can get their hands on to create the same rush: cold
medicines, inhalers, iodine, even car battery acid.

Women in particular often turn to stealing, prostitution or drug dealing to
support their habit, she said. The addiction often spans generations.
Clayton sees both mothers and their daughters coming to her office for help.

She said the real victims aren't just the drug users. They're the children.

"I can tell the kids from drug houses," she said. "They've had little
sleep, can have behavioral problems, and have no quality role models."

Although school teachers try to have a positive impact on children, it's
difficult when the parents don't cooperate. She said many of the mothers
won't even come to their children's classrooms because of their problem.

"It's a big shame thing," she said.

As users continue on this downward spiral, the law can intervene. If the
situation gets bad enough, child welfare will step in and remove children
from the house.

If babies test positive for drugs, this can also be grounds for removal.

Mothers who seek assistance through a welfare program have to be screened
for drug use. Treatment may be required before benefits are granted.

Interventions, 12-step support groups and educational programs are part of
the treatment process. "They can't just not get help for (addiction)
anymore," she said.

As the methamphetamine rate goes up, so does the welfare rate, Clayton said.

"There are a lot of interagency programs," said Parker. "The Oregon Trail
card can be used like a Debit card and traced or restricted depending on
use. If not complying with treatment, the benefits can can be cut off."

The problem doesn't seem to be slowing down. The abusers just keep coming
back and Clayton just keeps taking them in.

"I'll take them back," she said.

She is optimistic about Klamath County's drug problem improving, though.

"People these days are getting intervention sooner," she said. "They're
calling in and teachers are reporting it earlier than before," she said.

Because of all the intervention programs, Clayton thinks it will be more
difficult for addicts to hide without being noticed by someone. She hopes
this will cause more women to recognize their problem and want to change.
Some already have.

"These women finally say 'I've got it. I don't have to live like that
anymore,'" she said.

"They're not bad people," Clayton said. "They just make bad choices."