BOYS TOWN, Neb. -- Jalyn Todd said she first used methamphetamine in 1992 to lose weight.

In the months that followed she became heavily addicted, Todd said.

She neglected her two children, lost weight, developed open sores and had other health problems, Todd said. At 40 years old, she weighed 90 pounds.

Finally, she looked at herself in the mirror and decided she did not want to die, Todd said. She sought counseling and by 1993 had taken steps to turn her life around, she said.

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Sailors from the Navy Reserve Center in Sioux Falls will speak at 2 p.m. today at a student assembly at Laura Wilder Elementary School in Sioux Falls about the dangers of illegal drugs.

The objective of the Navy Reserve's Campaign Drug Free program is to use Navy and Marine Corps members as a community-outreach resource for schools and youth groups.

In 1988, Congress passed legislation directing the Department of Defense to play a larger role in the war against drugs. Sioux Falls sailors distribute items that include coloring books, rulers and dog tags that carry the "Say no to drugs" message.

- - From staff reports

[end]

Drug Wears Out Teeth, Budget For Dental Care

The cost for dental treatment for inmates in the Minnehaha County Jail has nearly doubled during the past two years, due in part to a side effect of methamphetamine abuse - a condition called meth mouth.

"Our dentist tells us as soon as they (inmates) open up their mouths, he is able to recognize the rotting and brittle teeth, all symptoms of meth mouth," Sheriff Mike Milstead said.

Many of the teeth become unsalvageable, said assistant sheriff Michelle Boyd.In 2002, Minnehaha County paid $18,000 for dental treatment for inmates. The cost grew to $32,000 in 2004, Milstead said. Dental costs are a part of the overall medical budget.

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I owe my life to places like Transitional Living Corp. If it was not for a treatment facility I would still be a drugged up zombie. I say thanks every day that they gave me the chance for a nice house, great job and beautiful wife. It took three separate 30-day programs to clean me up, so I can speak with some confidence about what goes on in these types of facilities.

In-patient treatment centers do not belong near residential housing. Especially ones with little or no security. Bad things do happen in and around these centers. There were fights, theft, vandalism, and that's just the beginning. This was not in some big city like L.A., it was right here in South Dakota.

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New County Facility Promotes Lasting Changes

Minnehaha County residents needing detoxification soon will be able to get help at a new center housed in what once was the county jail.

The finishing touches are being put on an $800,000 detox center to provide beds for 25 people in early May.

"They're going to have a program that is much more comprehensive," said Randy DeRaad, the Avera McKennan employee who will direct the center. "If you just lock them up until they sober up, you have accomplished nothing."Originally, the county had planned to open a center to hold those who hadn't necessarily broken a law but were picked up for intoxication. The price tag for that center was estimated at $85,000.

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I truly hope that the Transitional Living Corp. and Lincoln County can come to a positive conclusion and allow the new facility. Substance abuse impacts all economic and age groups. This treatment facility is badly needed.

I saw a woman on television who said her concerns centered on loss of tax revenue, on water use and on road use. While these are serious concerns, I find it hard to believe that these are the real issues. If the applicant were a church wanting to open a spiritual retreat center for teens, would questions of tax status or water and road use even be mentioned? I doubt it.

Let's discuss our real concerns. Only by bringing things out in the open will we be able to remove destructive stereotypes and irrational fears from the process of making decisions.

Sioux Falls

[end]

We've done it again my morally inclined friends. We've struck a very good blow to the proposed rehab center in southern Sioux Falls. We, the neighbors adjoining the land they wish to use, don't believe the traffic this center would bring to the area validates the help these people would receive. We, the citizens of Lincoln County, don't believe that drugs are a problem in this great state. Besides how could we ever spare the water resources? We feel for these people, we really do, but if we're going to give them a place to get better. (Besides the mindless drug addicts might rob our homes to pay for their habit)

Tea

[end]

PIERRE - A drug bust on the heels of a lawman stopping a car for going 3 mph over the speed limit was legal, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled 3-2 Thursday.

The decision upholds the conviction of Carl O. Lockstedt of Houston, Texas, who was riding in a car driven by Billy C. Kinnamon on Oct. 21, 2002. Seventeen bags of marijuana, weighing a pound apiece, were found in the trunk.

Kinnamon, 31, was stopped after a state trooper became suspicious when pulling alongside the pair because Kinnamon was leaning his head against the driver's side window, and neither man made eye contact with the lawman.

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The Argus Leader briefly quotes the attorney general's lobbyist, Charlie McGuigan, in its March 21 story, "S.D. medical marijuana proposal forming." McGuigan was testifying against a bill to allow therapeutic cannabis use in the 2005 legislature.

McGuigan's testimony was actually quite a yuck, beginning with his recitation that "carciginians" and "carciginocens" are found in cannabis.

He said marijuana has "no medical value," and that the usable cannabis allowed by the bill would be "as much as 280 joints, tantamount to a year's supply," failing to mention that the FDA currently sends 300 rolled cannabis cigarettes to each of seven patients each month.

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Marijuana: Signatures Needed To Reach Ballot

PIERRE - A Hermosa man who supported an unsuccessful attempt to legalize industrial hemp in 2002 said last week he is preparing a ballot initiative to allow medical marijuana in South Dakota.

Robert Newland, who also ran for attorney general as a Libertarian candidate in 2002, said Montana voters in November legalized marijuana for medical uses.

"When I saw that Montana did it, I decided to start a campaign in South Dakota," Newland said. "There is no question we can get the signatures in fairly short order. The fact is, medical use has never failed on an initiative."

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PIERRE, S.D. - Robert Newland said he is preparing a ballot initiative for South Dakota voters on whether marijuana use should be allowed for medical purposes.

A bill to legalize medical marijuana died 11-1 in a House committee during this year's legislative session.

In Montana last November, voters approved the Medical Marijuana Act, which protects registered patients and their caregivers from local and state prosecution.

"When I saw that Montana did it, I decided to start a campaign in South Dakota," said Newland, of Hermosa. "There is no question we can get the signatures in fairly short order. The fact is, medical use has never failed on an initiative."

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As a Colorado citizen who voted for Amendment 20 allowing people to use cannabis medicinally in my state, I agree with David Nickel (letter: Medical Marijuana Bill Should Have Passed, Feb. 1, 2005) and point out politicians do poorly in supporting their constituents on this issue, yet in every recent case that reaches the ballot box, it has passed by wide margins.

Now, Coloradoans use the plant cannabis, following state law simultaneously and it works. Since Colorado enacted its initiative, cannabis use has not increased, and the sky hasn't fallen.

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Dear Editor:

The Jan. 29 Pioneer story "Medical Marijuana Bill Falls" was a sad story from the 2005 Legislature. Seriously ill people lost out. Those who believe in true conservative values of small and reasonable government (free from federal government dictates) lost out.

Rep. Lange's H.B. 1109 would have given doctors permission to prescribe medical marijuana to seriously ill folks suffering from things like cancer, chronic pain, or seizures. Doctors would have had to certify these cases in writing and advise patients of the health risks of marijuana. Both doctors and patients would have had to register with the Health Department.

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Patients might prefer pot to popping pills, but they won't be doing that legally in South Dakota.

The House Health and Human Services Committee deferred a bill that would have legalized the medicinal use of marijuana to the 41st day of the legislative session, effectively killing it.

Rep. Gerald Lange, D-Madison, introduced the bill, which lacked any co-sponsors. Lange said that he introduced the bill at the request of one of his constituents who is suffering from a debilitating disease.

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A majority of lawmakers in Pierre favor reducing the penalties for students caught with drugs.

We agree. The current penalty, which bans students from sports and other extracurricular activities for one year, is counterproductive and could lead the student in question into further trouble.

The Criminal Code Revision Commission, according to The Associated Press, has recommended reducing that one-year suspension to 60 days - if the student completes counseling or treatment.

While drugs in the hands of students are a huge concern - and something that should not be taken lightly - getting the student treatment and counselling is the most important part of the solution. Barring that student from extracurricular activities is just handing him or her more free time to get into trouble. And bear in mind that sports are the antidote to unhealthy living.

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Judge Gives Man Probation, Jail Time, Treatment

An Aberdeen man and former Northern State University athlete avoided state prison time Wednesday for a drug-related charge.

Eric L. Dockter, 19, was sentenced on a felony count of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Circuit Court Judge Jack Von Wald sentenced Dockter to 60 days in county jail and three years probation. Von Wald also ordered him to complete a chemical dependency evaluation and adhere to its terms. That could involve in-patient treatment. Dockter must also pay a fine of $1,063 and make restitution of $1,000.

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Police Bring Back D.A.R.E. After Two-Year Absence

After a two-year absence, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program is making a comeback in Aberdeen elementary schools.

D.A.R.E. replaces CounterAct, which was taught for two years by police to Hub City public and private school students. Like CounterAct, D.A.R.E. is a national program that teaches students how to recognize and resist the pressures of drug and alcohol abuse.

"It was a collective decision within the department," Aberdeen Police Officer Brad Erhardt said. "The idea was brought forth by (Police Chief Don Lanpher Jr.), but the decision was made together."

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By Bob Newland, publisher of the online and print magazine Hemphasis.net from his home near Hermosa.

HERMOSA - "Christianity," as practiced by many who proclaim themselves "Christians" loudly, publicly and repeatedly, often resembles "Democratism" or "Republicanism," as often practiced by vociferous endorsers thereof. The dogma they promote frequently has little to do with the party platform. Bob Ellis' attack on Sam Hurst's observations (Journal Forum, Oct. 30) fits this pattern.

Jesus' life was a model of careful consideration of the human condition, characterized by thoughtful advice. I submit, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," as an example. Additionally, Jesus, aware of Hosea's Old Testament lament, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," advised the acquisition of knowledge, especially that knowledge available through observation of nature and man.

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Emily Kellar, 17, still remembers tying little red ribbons on things as part of her elementary school's Red Ribbon Week activities.

The Central High School senior grew up with the annual Red Ribbon celebration, started in 1988 to encourage children to adopt a drug-free lifestyle.

"Most people know," 11-year-old Maddie Merriam, a fifth-grader at Grandview Elementary School, said. "But if there are kids that don't know what to do and things like that, Red Ribbon is there to teach them."

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Before you even got near the gymnasium, you could hear the screams.

Students at Simmons Middle School were taking part in some pretty heated scooter races last week, and judging by the volume level, it was clear they were having fun.

According to Kristi Spitzer, that was precisely the point of a week of fun-filled events that also included pumpkin bowling.

"What we're trying to get across to kids is they can have fun doing . . . things" that don't involve drugs or alcohol, said Spitzer, who is a prevention resource specialist at Aberdeen's two public middle schools through Prairie View Prevention Services, Inc. "The ultimate high sometimes is having fun with friends."

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