Pot times July 15, 2005
PTA To Share Concerns About Methamphetamine
URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1115/a04.htmlNewshawk: chip
Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 PTA TO SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE
Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Contact:
letters@knews.com
Website: http://www.knoxnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226
Author: Diane B. Jablonski
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm
(Methamphetamine)
We are in the midst of an epidemic of catastrophic proportions. The
epidemic is the methamphetamine use and production in the state. We have
seen how meth use can cause a father to subject his 3-year-old daughter to
unbelievable torture, as in the Haley Spicer case.
Meth is an insidious drug that completely alters the addict's value system and
it is addictive the first time it is used. Nothing is more important than
the drug - not spouse, not family, not children or God. What you don't
know about meth can and will hurt your family. We cannot simply sit back
and say, "That's a rural problem" or "That's an inner-city
problem." Methamphetamine use is on the increase, and if it is in the next
county or next door, it is your problem.
The conditions that exist in the homes where meth is being produced are
deplorable. Babies crawl around within reach of highly toxic and explosive
materials. Everything in the home must be decontaminated, including
clothes and toys.
Now consider that the primary goal of our state Department of Children's
Services is to reunite the children who have been removed from these hazardous
situations with the same parents who placed them in harm's way. Do we have
to have more Haley Spicers before we take action to protect the children who are
rescued from these homes?
Knox County Council PTA, with the district attorney's office, is presenting a
program to assist us in becoming better informed to the dangers of
methamphetamine. Join with other concerned groups and individuals from
9-11:30 a.m. Aug. 17 at the Teacher Supply Depot. Knowledge is
part of the solution; ignorance is part of the problem. Be part of the
solution.
DIANE B. JABLONSKI
Farragut
