The J-TAC

Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News

Speakers at Meth Watch program give information based on experiences of dealing with methamphetamine users.

STAR Council, a drug and alcohol prevention organization in Erath County, is starting up a new program called Meth Watch.
"This is a passionate endeavor for me," said Linda Dane, the program's coordinator.
The first town hall meeting addressing the Meth Watch program was held February 7 at 6:30 p.m., where a panel comprised of different officials and occupations affected by methamphetamine users spoke, including State Representative, Sid Miller.
"If a terrorist invented a drug, it would be meth," said Miller.
According to an information packet provided at the meeting that quoted www.drugstory.org, methamphetamines are "the fastest growing drug threat and the most prevalent synthetic drug manufactured in the United States." Several of the panelists had first-hand experience in dealing with the aftermath of the drug.
"This is a drug that crosses all socio-economic borders," said Dane.
Debbie Byers, a service supervisor with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, recounted her experiences with parents who are meth users.
"Parents who do meth simply do not take care of their children. They will miss doctors' and dentists' appointments, and many times will sexually abuse their children," said Byers. "A parent will drop off their child with a neighbor for the afternoon and show up three weeks later. If a parent has to choose between their child and their meth, they choose meth."
Methamphetamines are highly addictive even after the first use. According to a video presentation put together by Earl "Dub" Gillum of the Texas State Highway Patrol, meth is the most addictive drug on the market today.
"Drug dealers will give meth away to first-time users, because they know they'll be back for more after only one use," said Gillum.
The long-term effects of methamphetamine use include "repetitive motor activity… intense paranoia, mood disturbances and out-of-control rages," reads the information packet.
Since treatment of meth addiction is so difficult, the coalition for the Meth Watch program is focusing on prevention.
"We have to get started working with the schools and educating our students. The slogan for the education program we're looking at is called 'Not Even Once,' because prevention is key with such an addictive drug," said Dane.
The Meth Watch program has been highly effective in other states such as California and Montana. The program that STAR Council is basing the Erath County program off of is in Wilcox, Az.
Dane said that STAR Council is also very interested about educating the Tarleton campus about this devastating drug.
"We're working with Dr. Hinga and he's very supportive, but we'd love to inform the Tarleton campus about this in other ways too," she said.

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