Pubdate: Thu, 27 Apr 2006
Source: Daily Times, The (TN)
Copyright: 2006 Horvitz Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.thedailytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1455
Author: Jessica Stith
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH SUMMIT: STUDENTS LEARN DRUG DANGERS

Four William Blount High School Students Learned About Meth Tuesday 
And Plan To Share Their Knowledge With Their School And Community.

Tyler Hughes, freshman; Meghin Clark, freshman; Monica Malone, 
sophomore, and Tabby Stott, junior, represented William Blount and 
Blount County at the Meth Destroys Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville.

Gov. Phil Bredesen, Blount County District Attorney General Mike 
Flynn, other district attorneys and 150 students gathered to talk 
about how they can raise awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine 
in their communities.

The students heard several speakers talk about meth, including 
recovering addicts, children whose families have been affected by 
meth, health-care personnel and district attorneys. They also 
assembled backpacks for children taken from their homes because of 
meth. The students said that was their favorite part of the summit.

Clark said she really enjoyed helping other children by filling the 
packs. They filled each backpack with personal hygiene items, toys, 
stuffed animals and blankets. She also learned these material items 
aren't the only needs of children whose lives are torn apart by meth.

"I learned that we need more foster parents, because there are a lot 
of kids that are getting taken from their homes, and there is really 
not that many people to take the kids in," Clark said.

'Takes away your soul'

Malone said she was aware Blount County was experiencing problems 
from meth addiction but did not know about other areas of Tennessee 
being effected.

"It really opens your eyes, because you know it's here, but you don't 
know it's over in West Tennessee and in areas you don't even know 
about," Malone said.

Hughes said the one thing that stood out most to him at the summit 
was a poster that said, "Meth takes away your soul and you don't have 
anything else."

"There's a bunch of people doing meth -- and once you do it one time, 
you can't go back," Hughes said.

The students said they are taking information they learned from the 
summit and using it to educate their classmates on meth.

Back at WBHS

They hope to have a school assembly next year about the dangers of 
meth. They said a meth abuser and her daughter, whom they met at the 
conference, had agreed to speak at the assembly.

The students plan to make posters illustrating the horrible effects 
of meth and to distribute informative brochures at their school. They 
are also hoping to have a classroom contest where each homeroom would 
make backpacks for children taken from their homes.

Stott said she thinks it is important to educate other students and 
the community on the effects of methamphetamine.

"We don't have to be adults to organize a program," Stott said. "Us 
four can band together and make a difference. We can get people 
excited and get the knowledge out there that people have overlooked 
for so long."

The Meth Destroys Youth Leadership Conference was hosted by the 
Tennessee District Attorney General Conference. All students who 
attended the summit are members of the Meth Destroys Youth Leadership 
council. Any students wishing to join the council can apply at 
www.MethFreeTN.org.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom