Pubdate: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 Source: Manchester Times (TN) Copyright: Manchester Times 2004 Contact: http://www.manchestertimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1863 Author: Linda Barr, Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) SHEDDING HOPE ON 'METH' PROBLEM The bad news is that methamphetamine is considered one of the most devastating drugs of our time. "Meth" is destroying families and ripping children from their homes. It has the power to transform the best of people into craving addicts who will stop at nothing to get their "meth" fix. As bleak as the situation seems, however, the good news is that hope and deliverance can be found through treatment and support and the bright light of recovery is at the end of a dark tunnel that meth users know too well. That's the message a panel of experts and counselors shared with a standing-room-only crowd of concerned and heartbroken citizens Thursday night when at least 150 attendees gathered for a meth conference at the Coffee County Administrative Plaza. Many fought back tears as an emotional film portrayed the ugly realities of meth - children being removed from their homes by armed meth lab agents while their "stoned" caregivers watched helplessly as the last things they hold dear were taken away. Christine Archer, family resource director for Manchester City Schools, and Sarah Hailey, family support services officer for Coffee County Schools, are both caring women who are leading the community in the meth fight. They worked tirelessly to organize the meth awareness conference and invited a panel of speakers that included local law enforcement officers, state officials and district representatives. Betsy Dunn, a supervisor and caseworker for Child Protective Services in the Upper Cumberland region, relayed her experiences of removing children from their homes and the traumatic effect it has on them. She spoke of children who had become sick in a toxic environment of meth created by their own parents and shared her story of befriending a mentally impaired 17 year-old child who suffered a kidney transplant, likely due to the effects of meth in his home. She said the boy is now in the care of a loving foster parent and that she and the boy recently celebrated their birthdays, which just happen to fall on the same day. "It's the worst form of child endangerment I've ever seen," she said, adding that, in 2002, 103 children were placed in state custody for meth related issues. That number climbed to 179 in 2003. Through August of this year, 84 children had been removed from their homes due to meth. Ms. Dunn said she was grieved that, in the month of March alone, 38 children were handed over to the state. "The reunification rate is very sad, because it's very low," she informed the crowd. "The things I have seen are horrific - parents turned their backs on their children. In this capacity, I've never seen anything like methamphetamines." Ms. Dunn was interviewed last week for a series that aired on National Public Radio. Sgt. Frank Watkins, an investigator with the Coffee County Sheriff's Department, spoke on how local law enforcement is affected by meth production, in addition to providing a detailed explanation of what ingredients constitute the toxic potion. He said agents uncover one to two meth labs every week in Coffee County. Those labs began showing up in 1995. The drug has been in existence for a long time, with its first known synthesis dating back to 1887, Watkins added. Its necessary component is ephedrine, an ingredient found in many over-the-counter cold medicines. Lawmakers and law enforcement officials have discussed requiring prescriptions for medications containing ephedrine as a way to curb production of meth by making it more difficult and costly. Watkins said meth was sold legally in 1932 as a nasal spray and later for the treatment of narcolepsy and obesity. After some serious discussion on the negative effects of meth, Pam White, the statewide director of the Community, Anti-Drug Coalition, delivered a message of hope. "You're living in one of the best places in the country for solutions," she said, Prevention is a key factor, she maintained. "We have learned a few things regarding drug addiction over the years," she said. "Some are more likely to become addicted." According to Ms. White, studies have shown that those with addiction in the family run a high risk of involvement with drugs. Something else they have learned is that anyone can become addicted, shattering the stereotype that a "druggie" is a homeless bum out on the street in tattered clothes. This addiction affects business men and women in suits and ties - the affluent as well as the poor in society. Meth is no respecter of persons. She encouraged the group to, first, stay away from the drug. Just don't even go there. Secondly, she said children should be engaged with caring, competent adults in activities in and outside of school. They should be kept busy with responsibilities in their homes and communities, she added. Ms. White believes, "Part of prevention is to have a plan. We know if we plan, we can make it happen." Drawing applause, she said the federal government has responded to the need for help in the state of Tennessee by awarding a $12 million grant that will be distributed within the next five years for developing prevention plans in communities. In addition, the state has been granted another $17.8 million throughout the next three years to help meth users receive the treatment they need. "They can have a life of recovery and joy." Inadequate treatment, she said, is similar to prescribing an aspirin for someone with Melanoma. Effectively treating someone with a meth addiction requires a consecutive 90-day stay in a treatment center in addition to after-care, Ms. White said. Before the meeting was adjourned, State Rep. Judd Matheny, a former law enforcement officer from Tullahoma; Mark Yother, chief investigator for the Manchester Police Department; Dean Honeycutt, a Manchester dentist, fielded questions from the audience. Displays, including a trailer containing educational materials and a simulated meth lab, were provided by the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek