Addressing Methamphetamine

View Archives

Every community has challenges to overcome. It may be infrastructure, roads, solid waste, crime or a combination of all. But one thing is common to most communities and that is the destructiveness of methamphetamine.

All of us have seen the damage. It may be a friend or family member that has “aged” because of the abuse. Their physical appearance has changed to the point they appear to be years older than their actual age. Their personality has changed and they have become paranoid, defensive, and sometimes reclusive. Their teeth are rotting because of their continued use and their skin is becoming gray and full of sores. Users often refuse help of any kind because they either feel hopeless, or would rather continue to use this drug that is destroying not only their own life, but also has a devastating effect on their family, sadly, sometimes their own children.

The long range and lasting effects of this poison is going to prove to be one of the greatest struggles for our communities. Ask a teacher in our public schools if they see the negative effects. Ask a parent of a grown “child” about the heartache and helplessness they feel when they try to reach out to their child.

This drug is causing a dramatic negative effect on all of us socially, economically, and environmentally.

So, that’s the problem. What is the solution? I wish this answer was easy and just a matter of following a few steps that would correct the direction of our country, but it’s not. It’s going to take a combined effort to address this problem.

Not just the government making new laws or stiffer penalties.
It’s going to have to start in the home. Having a stable home life that teaches our youth the horrible results of drug use.
Our school systems have the task of further educating students on the dangers, the side effects and the consequences of drug use.
It’s going to take family’s addressing this problem head on when a loved one is a user. They are going to have to take a stand and get their friend or family member some help, whether it is a treatment center or law enforcement action.
Then it’s going to be up to the community to come to their aid and give support to these folks who sincerely want to remove drugs from their life.
It’s going to take a “clean commitment” from the person in recovery.
It’s going to take a safe environment for a person to live and work in to avoid the temptation and lure of old user friends.
And I also believe that it will take prayer. All of these things will be done in vain if not wrapped up in prayer from our community.

Is this an easy battle? No. Is it a battle worth fighting? Yes. Can we make a difference if we all work together? Yes.

I want to invite you to come to the next Boone County Recovery Project meeting and learn more on how you can play a significant role in the battle. You can call me at the sheriff’s office for more information at 870-741-8404

Sincerely,

Sheriff Mike Moore