Methamphetamine: Learn, Then Fight It

Sun., June 4, 2000

Jackie Vanallen

A five-part series on methamphetamine abuse, effects and solutions begins today and will appear through Thursday in The Spokesman-Review.

You need to learn about methamphetamine.

The articles and photos will raise awareness of this local problem, one that’s close to home. Perhaps they will open an avenue to discuss drugs with your children. The names and faces are real, people from our own communities.

Drug addicts can cook up a meth concoction using cold medication and chemicals found in most hardware stores.

The temporary elation users receive from the drug has far reaching implications, from chemically contaminated homes to severely neglected children.

A deputy prosecutor called the escalation of meth use an epidemic.

Meth is powerful and addictive. The high can last from hours to days. Meth is more addictive than heroine or cocaine. And long, intensive treatment is required to kick the habit.

Some police officers and social workers have been hospitalized after exposure to chemicals used in making meth. The chemicals, such as ether, lye or muriatic acid, permeate homes and users.

Children of addicts suffer the most. Children were found in over half the meth labs busted in Spokane County in 1999. Their exposure to meth-extracting chemicals can cause ailments such as respiratory infections or an inability to absorb nutrients.

But mostly these children are neglected. It is estimated that nine out of 10 meth-addicted parents lose permanent custody of their children. The emotional, mental and physical effects of this drug on children can be lifelong.

Lest the meth problem seem unsolvable, the newspaper series will explain steps any of us can take to effectively address it:

Some churches have encouraged families to become part of the meth solution. The families have recovering addicts live in their homes and teach the addicts how to solve problems without chemicals.

School drug and alcohol education programs can make a positive impact.

Businesses can call police to report people buying large quantities of cold medication.

Neighbors can call police about suspicious trafficking or foul odors coming from a house. They can record license plate numbers.

Increased funding for anti-meth campaigns and treatment programs can help make a difference. To assist law enforcement, U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton is trying to get federal funding for four special meth-fighting squads across Washington state.

Meth and its effect on our community are a problem we need to deal with. Learn more about it and possible solutions in our fiveday series.

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