Pubdate: Fri, 11 Feb 2005
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Leon Alligood, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DAS TELL KIDS, 'METH IS DEATH,' AND MADE A VIDEO TO PROVE IT

Last summer, three Middle Tennessee prosecutors decided to "go Hollywood" 
in a proactive measure to stem the growth of methamphetamine in their 
districts.

Today their effort -- which grew to involve 19 other prosecutors -- is 
unveiled with the 1 p.m. premiere of a documentary film that tells the 
horrific stories of four methamphetamine addicts, one of whom permanently 
disfigured his face during a botched suicide attempt.

The video pulls no punches in its narration or in its graphic visual images.

"You're going to find this film pretty rough. By design we wanted to 
impress upon the young people just how dangerous this stuff is," said 
District Attorney General Dan Alsobrooks of the 23rd Judicial District, 
which includes Stewart, Houston, Humphreys, Dickson and Cheatham counties. 
Alsobrooks was one of the original three prosecutors involved in the 
effort, along with Ron Davis of Franklin and John Carney of Clarksville.

The primary audience for the 15-minute film, titled Meth is Death, will be 
middle and high school-age students, but it will also be distributed to 
civic clubs and other interested groups.

The video was produced by The Renaissance Center, a combination arts and 
technology education center and performing arts venue in Dickson.

The District Attorney General Association, a nonprofit organization, funded 
the film using a combination of seized drug money and the sale of vehicles 
confiscated during drug arrests. No tax money was used in the production.

Davis offered no apologies for the film's blunt message.

"That's what it takes to get the kids' attention, to be honest," said 
Davis, whose 21st Judicial District includes Williamson, Hickman, Lewis and 
Perry counties.

Among other images, the video shows bloody photos taken shortly after meth 
addict David Parnell of Martin shot himself in the face, blowing away most 
of his chin, teeth and nose. Parnell, who now frequently speaks to youth 
groups about the dangers of meth, harmed himself after learning his wife 
was going to leave him because of his addiction.

The film also shows several before and after photos of meth addicts to 
illustrate how the drug harms users.

Prosecutors in the state plan to distribute the video in different ways. 
Alsobrooks has planned a two-month sweep in February and March of all the 
middle and high schools in his judicial district. He also intends to speak 
to civic groups.

Davis and Carney plan a similar efforts in their districts but have not 
scheduled meetings yet. Others plan to employ sheriffs and law enforcement 
in reaching out to the community.

"We're hoping for big returns on this. We especially want the kids to 
realize they should not mess with this stuff," said Carney, whose 19th 
Judicial District includes Robertson and Montgomery counties.

In the near future, individual copies of the video will be available for 
purchase, but the logistics have not been worked out, Alsobrooks said.

Getting there

Meth is Death, a short film on the dangers of methamphetamine, will have 
its premiere at 1 p.m. today at the Renaissance Center in Dickson.

To learn more

For details about Meth is Death and to learn how your group can view it, 
visit www.methisdeath.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom