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NOW THE METH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD?

I had hoped, perhaps naively, my series on methamphetamine published earlier this year might discourage someone from trying the drug for the first time.

Last year, local authorities raided 46 meth labs.  Last week - with more than four months left in the year - they made the 47th meth lab bust since Jan.  1.

Thirteen people were arrested last week alone.

And you know the ones we see arrested are probably just the tip of the iceberg.  Somewhere out there, perhaps next door to you, someone is stoned out of their mind, mixing up toxic chemicals that could explode.

If you see a lot of different cars parked outside a house at all hours of the day or windows blocked out, you may have a meth-cooker for a neighbor.

I did a lot of research on methamphetamine, talking to recovering addicts and those charged with dealing with the wreckage of destroyed lives.  Like many of you, I had no idea how addictive, dangerous and popular meth is in our area.

I can understand wanting to escape the drudgery of daily life, but meth is a false paradise.  While experiencing the powerful euphoria of its high, reality crumbles until family and finances are gone, dreams and aspirations crushed and the body ravaged.

I'm glad experts come to our schools and show various police mug shots of meth addicts as they increasingly become skeletons with sunken eyes and no teeth.

This stuff is bad news.

As long as people feel as if their lives are empty enough to need some type of escape, drug addiction will continue to escalate in America.  The war on drugs will only be effective as a deterrent for some.

Meth, heroin and other hard drugs are poison.  So why would anyone jump at the chance to pump these toxic solutions through their veins? I am not moralizing but where is the common sense?

If you are out with a friend partying and hear that meth is available for the taking, don't do it.  The high isn't worth the lows.

I still have hope I might discourage someone from using meth.  Open your eyes and remember all of the people you've seen in this newspaper for using meth.

Don't become another slave to this vicious master.