Pubdate: Mon, 21 May 2007
Source: Sampson Independent, The (NC)
Copyright: 2007, The Sampson Independent
Contact:  http://www.clintonnc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1704
Author: Chris Berendt
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SPEAKER: METH ADDICTS SUFFER BRAIN DISEASE

CLINTON -- When Dr. Mary Holley's brother Jim was just 22 years old, 
he would start using a drug that would take hold of him and his 
brain, causing Jim to go through constant fits of paranoia, psychosis 
and schizophrenia that would result in him taking his own life a mere 
two years later. That drug was methamphetamine, a substance that is 
infecting communities across the country, destroying the lives of 
users and their families in its wake.

Now a renowned expert in the field of meth, Holley made a visit to 
Sampson County this week to share her story and discuss the affects 
of the drugs in an effort to bring about awareness by everyone, and 
offer solutions to the problem. Meth addicts suffer from a brain 
disease and no longer function by themselves, with meth controlling 
them and eating away at their brain, Holley said.

"My brother Jim was 22 years old when he started, and he died at 24," 
she said. "It's a bad movie, but you can't turn it off. It's a 
nightmare, but you don't wake up."

A practicing OBGYN in Alabama for 15 years, Holley closed her 
practice in 2005 to devote herself fully to MAMA. After losing her 
brother to crystal methamphetamine in July 2000, she spent a great 
deal of her time researching meth from a variety of different 
viewpoints -- as a physician, a scientist and as a surviving family member.

During that research, Holley found that the drug eats at the brain 
and causes addiction, often against the user's will.

"My brother said 'that drug is messing with my brain, I've got brain 
damage,'" Holley recalled. Like many others confronted with the same 
problem, Holley told him to get off the drug and get a hold of himself.

It was years later, when she was reading through one of many research 
studies on meth, that she would come to a realization that would make her sick.

"He really did have brain damage and that was caused by the drug," 
said Holley, founder and director of Mothers Against Meth-Amphetamine 
(MAMA). "When I saw that paper, I got sick. It made me vomit."

Holley's trip to Sampson County culminated with a seminar Wednesday 
to about 100 people at the Agri-Exposition Center. Holley offered a 
similar presentation on Tuesday, as well as talking to Hobbton High 
School students and officials and medical personnel at Sampson 
Regional Medical Center in talks that were specifically tailored to them.

Sarah Bradshaw, director for the Department of Social Services and 
member of the Sampson County Methamphetamine Task Force, said 
Holley's visit was a tremendous success, building on the foundation 
that the Task Force has established and further bringing the 
community together as a whole.

"I've been to every one of these," said Bradshaw, following 
Wednesday's three-hour seminar at the civic center. "They were 
absolutely a success for our community."

While a meth summit last year focused mostly on law enforcement's 
role in battling the problem of methamphetamine, Holley's visit 
expanded on the devastating effects of the drug and the fact that it 
is everyone's responsibility in helping to combat its use and what 
results from it.

"This goes to the next level," Bradshaw said, "and that is the 
response and reaction to this disease."

And, as Holley implored, it is not a problem for one person, or one 
family, or one specific agency. It is a problem in which everyone is 
involved and, thus, one that needs solutions that everyone works toward.

"You thought you chose to (meth) again, you thought you wanted to do 
it again," Holley said. "You didn't choose it, it chose you."

And the effects of the drug are devastating to say the least, taking 
control of its user, many times until that person is dead.

"This guy can tell you this drug is evil and then go out and use it 
the first time he gets the chance," said Holley. "The addict is going 
to break your heart. No matter how bad it gets, no matter what 
happens, keep praying for that kid."

Holley said that tough love is often what needs to be used in the 
response to a user. Often, they need to hit rock bottom before they seek help.

"You can't pray with one hand and give him $50 with the other, it 
doesn't work that way," she said. "Every time you give that kid $100, 
you're putting another hole in his brain. Do the tough love you have 
to do to save that kid's life."

Even when faced with a possible meth addict, it is not the end. 
Although the recovery rate is low, the brain disease can be cured in time.

"Even after the kid is hooked on methamphetamine, all is not lost," 
said Holley. "It hurts so bad to get off this stuff, until it hurts 
worse to keep using."

Keep reading The Sampson Independent for more articles on solutions 
Holley offered during her visit to Sampson County and reaction from 
the community as to the problem of meth.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman