STUDENTS JOIN FIGHT TO ERADICATE METH

EVERETT -- Four Granite Falls Middle School students say they live in
"one of the leading cities in the country with a methamphetamine
problem."

The quartet took time out from classes Tuesday to attend the
Snohomish County Methamphetamine Summit at the Howard Johnson Plaza
Hotel.

The youths were among more than 400 people who met to map out
strategies to stop the spread of the illegal drug.

"We want to get other students in middle or high school to know the
dangers and what meth can do to you and stop using," student Zac
Londerville said.

Much of the conference focused on youths and how they are affected by
the drug. Three recovering drug addicts told their stories of
addiction and urged those at the conference to keep working to
eradicate methamphetamine use.

The conference was hosted by Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, Snohomish County
Executive Bob Drewel and Sheriff Rick Bart.

Owen urged attendees to devise a strategy that encompasses
prevention, treatment and enforcement, and to be creative in finding
ways to fund those measures, particularly this year when the state is
facing "a tremendous loss of revenue."

He also suggested focusing on the successes, such as every child who
chooses to be drug free and every drug abuser who completes treatment.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen discussed congressional actions in the war on
drugs, including $4 million earmarked for the Washington State
Methamphetamine Initiative. Snohomish County expects to receive some
of the money.

"I wish it could have been more," he said.

So does Ashley, one of two recovering teen addicts who told their
stories and identified themselves only by their first names.

"People always say how much money it takes to fix (the drug
problem)," she said. "It's so worth it because, in the long run,
you're going to save so many people from so much anguish."

Methamphetamine and other drugs sent Ashley on a spiral from a good
student with a steady job to one who was failing school. When she
told her parents she was an addict and needed help, they didn't
believe her.

Brandon, another recovering addict, has been off drugs for more than a year.

"I kind of represent a deeper, darker side of drugs," he said. "I've
done a lot of bad things in my life. It's hard talking about it. Not
everybody knows how big the problem is in Snohomish County. It's a
problem that's out of control.

"Continue trying to make a difference, and eventually things will
change," he said.

Peer pressure to try drugs is increasing, T.J. Milless said.

"People ask you to go out and to party," said his friend, Emmanuel
Bazan. "You know there are going to be drugs there."

Dakoda Stefenson said the middle school students were excused from
their classes to attend the summit, but they have to make up the work
missed.

"Sometimes kids won't listen to adults, but they'll listen to other
kids," Londerville said.

The four want other students to learn what drugs such as
methamphetamine do to the body so they will stop using drugs. The
boys agreed they learned a lot that other teens need to know. They
plan to continue their efforts by joining the ongoing Snohomish
County Methamphetamine Coalition.

The coalition, including the summit facilitators, will meet Feb. 7 at
the Snohomish County Courthouse.

"We're really happy with the (summit) turnout," Bart said. "What
we're after is getting these smaller groups to attend the coalition
meetings and better refine and localize the plan. We'll be able to
take it to Granite Falls or Marysville or wherever.

"The bottom line is to get people involved," he said.