Pubdate: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 Source: Spokesman-Review (WA) Copyright: 2000 Cowles Publishing Company Contact: P.O. Box 2160 Spokane, WA 99210 Fax: (509) 459-5482 Website: http://www.spokesmanreview.com/ Forum: http://cg.zip2.com/spokane/scripts/community.dll?ep1 Author: Jackie Van Allen - For the editorial board ABUSE IS AUTHOR OF DRUG TRAGEDIES Our View: Why Do People Turn To Vicious Drugs Like Meth? We Must Learn To Respond -- And Prevent -- In Appropriate Ways. Spokane _ The Spokesman-Review's five-day series on methamphetamine wraps up today. The stories and photos have given us a look at this drug and its many repercussions. Methamphetamine to an addict may seem like an escape but it is actually a dive into a living hell. Meth, like all drugs, only postpones facing reality. Drug abuse often is part of a cycle that begins early -- with childhood traumas such as sexual abuse. The Substance Misuse Services unit of the Spokane Regional Health District estimates 95 percent of men and women use drugs to cover the memories, pain and anger of a traumatic past. Spokane's Parent-Child Assistance Program for drug-addicted mothers believes 95 percent of women involved in its program were molested as children. Women exposed to sexual abuse are more likely to become addicted to alcohol or drugs. Sexually abused girls are also more likely to become teenage mothers, who in turn are more likely to drop out of school. The lack of a high school diploma leaves them employed in low-paying jobs. And if drug or alcohol addictions are involved, their children are at risk for the same kind of abuse. The cycle begins again. Sexual abuse is only one of the things that can lead people to street drugs. Neglect, domestic violence and life with a substance abuser are some of the others. Solutions to break these cycles aren't easy but they exist. Counseling or support groups help many. People who have experienced abuse need to work through the pain and anger from their traumatic experiences. Counseling enables people to move beyond the abuse and escape the need for mind-altering chemicals. It can lead people to healthy ways to cope with the stress of life. Faith and religion, for example, can instill a sense of purpose and belonging. Habits such as walking, running or other physical activity can alleviate stress and the need for drugs. Communities simply must offer mental health services. Reforms to the Spokane County mental health system have increased the time before people receive help. These services are needed now more than ever to help with meth addicts. To stop sexual abuse, children must be educated about sex. Children should learn what is appropriate behavior between adults and themselves. The coloring book, "Red Flag-Green Flag People," has been used as part of a sexual abuse awareness programs for over 20 years. It helps kids recognize inappropriate touching. The newspaper's methamphetamine project showed children exposed to meth-addicted parents and bleak surroundings. The cycle from abuse to addiction can be stopped. We need to use the tools already available, and strengthen them. Jackie Van Allen/For the editorial board - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart