Pubdate: Mon, 27 Aug 2007
Source: Camden Chronicle, The (TN)
Email:  http://www.bentoncounty.com/
Address: P.O. Box 899 Camden TN 38320
Copyright: 2007 The Camden Chronicle
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

FIRST DRUG FAIR A BIG SUCCESS

Saturday of education about drugs was culminated by a heart-wrenching 
talk from former meth addict David Parnell of Martin.

Parnell spoke for a solid 90 minutes about his drug history, starting 
with marijuana and leading to other drugs, especially meth. Parnell 
is married and he and wife Amy have seven children. He almost died 
twice, first as the result of attempting to hang himself and a second 
time when he put a shotgun under his chin and pulled the trigger. Amy 
knocked the barrel just as it was going off and the blast tore away 
the front of his face. He has undergone several surgeries including 
periodically having to have his jaw rebroken and put back together.

David Parnell is a Motivational speaker. According to his website 
www.facingthedragon.org, he travels across the country to share his 
story and struggle with methamphetamine. David has devoted his life 
to fighting meth.

He speaks to schools, churches, jails, rehabs, and community groups 
to warn about the dangers of methamphetamine. His story hopefully 
will not only prevent others from trying methamphetamine but also 
give hope to those already addicted.

David's programs include education about drugs, particularly 
methamphetamine, his personal story, before and after pictures of 
himself and others, photos taken by investigators moments after his 
suicide attempt, and a 20 minute video. His presentation is in 
PowerPoint format. The video could not be shown Saturday because of 
technical problems, but a power-point presentation replaced it.

Before Parnell spoke, former Special Agent and current county 
commissioner Gary Evans talked about a friend of his who was shot 
while serving the border patrol and who underwent so much therapy and 
so many operations that he succumbed to addiction to pain pills and 
ultimately took his own life.

"This is everybody's problem," says Evans, chairman of the Anti-drug 
Coalition who devoted many hours preparing for the event. "We are 
grateful to all those that attended the drug resistance fair. This 
problem effects all ages.

Evans spoke of making a Drug Awareness Day an annual event, the 3rd 
Saturday in August.

According to Evans, Benton County is #4 in the state per capita in 
drug abuse, exceeding Nashville and Memphis. Methamphetamine is the 
worst problem of this area.

Richard Wright, along with Jimmy Townsend and John Shelton, cooked 
about 320 hamburgers and a passel of hot dogs on a sweltering grill 
outside and members of the local congregation helped served the meals 
under the awning. The food was served free to those who stopped by.

The Benton County Genealogical Society brought a unique hand-made 
quilt for silent auction. Bids will be accepted until November 15. 
Anyone wishing to bid on the quilt can do so by contacting Jean 
Gilley, 731-584-2332.

The National Guard brought a trailer and parked it in front of the 
church building alongside U.S. 70. The trailer contained many 
displays about drugs and drug paraphernalia, including some sample 
marijuana plants. It was a popular attraction, along with booths that 
lined both sides of the hallways throughout the church building.

Local educators were given the opportunity to use the Drug Resistance 
Fair as a day of in-service to gain knowledge and information about 
drugs. The state requires all teachers to have five days of 
in-service each year. Face-painting was provided for children.

About 400 attended the 4.5 hour Drug Resistance and Wellness Fair at 
the Camden Church of Christ which was co-sponsored by several groups 
including the Camden Rotary Club, the Camden Lions Club, and the 
Tennessee National Guard.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman