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Anoka County Press Release
For Immediate
Release
Jerry Soma, Division Manager, Anoka County Human Services,
763-422-7008 |
October 26, 2007 |
Meth Changes Every Thing
| Join other community members for a
meeting to learn about the impact of meth on kids and your
neighborhood Thursday, Nov. 15, from 6:30-8 p.m., in the
cafetorium of Oak View Middle School, 15400 Hanson Blvd.,
Andover. The event is free. |
Guest Editorial by Anoka County Commissioner Scott LeDoux
Member, Anoka County Meth Task Force and Look Smart.
Don’t Start. prevention campaign
She was a regular mom, working for a school district and involved in
a values group for kids. He was a regular dad, with a long career in
the trades. They lived in a regular house in the northern suburbs.
Their son used to be a regular kid, but things were changing.
Lately, the son was fighting with long-time friends. Things were
missing around the house. The parents were puzzled by the things he
left laying around, like pens that were hollowed out and little
pieces of tinfoil. The kid wasn’t sleeping anymore—at least not in
any regular pattern. His skin started looking grey and sickly, his
legs had sores all over, and he had more acne. His appetite would
swing from ravenous to non-existent. No matter how often he washed,
he didn’t smell quite clean.
Finally, Joan and Pat realized that their son, David, had started
using drugs. David’s drug of choice was meth. In shock, their family
spent a year watching David spiral out of control, fearing the next
violent and unpredictable outburst. David began lying. They never
knew when they could believe him.
The turning point came when David realized that he didn’t want to
end up damaged like his uncle. Joan’s brother had a meth habit that
created serious mental and physical health issues.
David went through treatment and thankfully has made his way back
towards that regular life he used to know. He has a job now and his
own health is improving. David hopes to save enough money soon to
buy a car so that he can get to work more easily. His parents know
that he must become more self-sufficient to stay strong.
Joan worries about the long-term effects on David’s body. His teeth
have become brittle from the impact of meth. He needs frequent
dental work. Pat and Joan know that David may experience arthritis
and other physical problems prematurely, as he grows older, even if
he stays clean.
There are other changes, too. Pat has lost trust in the son that
used to spend hours with him hunting and fishing. That special bond
between father and son has deteriorated. When Joan can’t find
something, she second guesses the situation, wondering if she’s just
having a bad day or if her son has slipped into a meth habit again.
They check David’s room frequently, as a condition of living with
the family, to be sure there are no signs of relapse. While Joan and
Pat figure that time and love will heal their family’s wounds, they
have learned the old saying is true—trust is earned.
Pat and Joan would advise other parents to really know your kids’
friends. Stay involved in their activities as they get older. While
you have to let go in some ways, don’t step out of the picture just
because they’re in middle or high school. Experts recommend keeping
kids involved in family traditions and weekly get-togethers to build
assets that help kids stay strong in the face of negative
influences. Make sure they know they are loved.
For those times when nothing you do seems to be helping and you
wonder if drugs might be involved, call 763-422-6970 for resources.
The Anoka County Meth Task Force is made up of concerned community
leaders, and professionals representing law enforcement, healthcare,
human services, and education. We want to reduce the number of lives
impacted by meth. Not only is there a cost to individual users and
families, the whole community pays a price. That’s why we’re
offering the Look Smart. Don’t Start. prevention campaign
aimed at middle school students and their families.
Join other community members for a meeting to learn about the impact
of meth on kids and your neighborhood Thursday, Nov. 15, from 6:30-8
p.m., in the cafetorium of Oak View Middle School, 15400 Hanson
Blvd., Andover. The event is free. Sponsors include Anoka-Hennepin
Community Ed, Target Corporation, Mercy and Unity Hospitals, the
Anoka County Children and Family Council, Dr. Don Blakeslee, and
Rensch, Becker, Carlson and Ackermann, D.D.S., P.A. For more
information, call 763-422-6970.
Joan, Pat and David are fictitious names, but the family is very
real. They, and I, hope others can learn from their experience.
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page last updated -
11/05/2007
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