TeeTotaler wrote on May 5, 2008 4:16 PM:
" Wow meth sure is evil, the cheapest dirtiest, most deadly drug.....Hmm for a moment i thought they were talking about alcohol! All of the hype about methamphetamine is beginning to grate on the nerves. I imagine women in long white skirts with picket signs rallying outside of taverns proclaiming the evils of alcohol during the temperance movement, all the while having their courage to do so fortified by healthful "tonics and elixers" containing opiates and cocaine. Wouldnt it be wonderful if in the name of prevention we all worked at the core issue in this ever growing methamphetamine problem? Has anyone ever asked a methamphetamine addict if they were under the influence of alcohol the first time they tried meth...i can guarentee you 9 out of 10 will say they were.Methamphetamine has effected the homes and lifes of those who are not in the so called lower rung or criminal element of society and everyone is panicking to try and find a solution to this "horrific epidemic". My friends, look within your own homes. Alcohol in most cases is socially acceptable in our community, from celebrations to ceremony..probably even at meetings to plan how to stop the meth epidemic..lol.. "
TeeTotaler wrote on May 5, 2008 4:21 PM:
" If you doubt the truth in what i am saying, one only has to read the kings county booking report on a daily basis to see that alcohol related incidents and drunk driving far out number the methamphetamine related incidents. So as you sit sipping a glass of wine trying to figure out this darn meth thing...ask yourself....did i allow my child to drink underage?, have i allowed them and mabey even their friends to drink at my home because at least i know they are "safe"...if so YOU are also part of the problem. This is not to point a finger it is meant to open eyes. Many of our children would never have been introduced to this terrible drug were it not for a far more deadly and deceptive drug..Alcohol. "
Jim Stephens wrote on May 5, 2008 5:30 PM:
" With all due respect to the efforts being put forth, and the obvious concern, as a recovering alcoholic of nine years, and someone who works with alcoholics and addicts (including meth addicts) I don't know any that became that way because they didn't see enough public service announcements.
And the worst drug to be addicted to, is simply whatever drug you're addicted to. That might be alcohol, nicotine, meth, or opiates, but if that's the "vehicle" you chose, then that's the worst one - the others don't matter.
Substance abuse is called "the problem," but it's really the symptom of the problem. The real problem is much deeper, and is typically a combination of factors, certainly not unraveled by a 28 day stay in "rehab.".
When a plant is sick or dying, you can put polish on the leaves, cut off the dead leaves, and it will look better. But it won't "get" better, because the problem is deep down inside, in the roots.
And until we begin approaching substance abuse awareness, prevention, and treatment in that way, nothing will change.
"
TeeTotaler wrote on May 5, 2008 5:44 PM:
" Well put Jim :D "
Just a Thought wrote on May 5, 2008 6:16 PM:
" Since this is event is in Lemoore, this question begs to be asked.. What else is the City of Lemoore doing to address the meth issue? How about staffing the narcotics task force with one of their officers? "
TeeTotaler wrote on May 5, 2008 7:38 PM:
" How bout an actual treatment program in lemoore? What a concept! "
Just A Comment wrote on May 5, 2008 10:39 PM:
" I understand and agree with previous comments about alcohol and the core issue of addiction; but I think it's dangerous to make meth look like a step child to other drugs. The fallout socially, environmentally and financially from the drug is enormous. Our foster system is full of children who have been taken from the custody of meth addicts. Our jails are packed full of meth related crimes. I lived with a grandmother and father who were alcoholics. My son is addicted to meth. I felt sad for my grandmother and father, who both eventually sought sober living. They were both able to maintain jobs and function throughout their years of addiction. I felt that alcohol had stolen the best years of their lives. In the case of my son...I feel as though meth has stolen his soul. Please don't underestimate the damage that this drug is doing on our community. "
Meth comes to this valley via the backs of illegals and a system that supports their presence here... wrote on May 6, 2008 1:52 AM:
" Many farm laborers have access to the chemicals needed to produce the product.Mexican gang affiliations’ of their sons, nephews, ect. and other cartel criminals work hand in hand.Why is closing the border not enforced?Majority of the theft occurs in small daily siphonings.Specifically targeted anhydrouos ammonia,Gatorade bottles at a time.Other key component are obtained that way and sometimes whole deliveries...of course the employee's of the farm never see anything and are not around.Usually it's their knowledge of when and where that helps the drug producers.The famer's own employee is well paid by the drug traffickers/producers.Mexican trucker/traffickers are supported by the NAFTA trade agreement....that treaty really needs to be trashed.Mexican trucker's have free reign to pick up key chemicals here and deliver them back to Mexico.Mexican truckers are allowed to be unlicensed they can come here steal the chemical and return to Mexico to manufacture the meth and the return stateside and distribute the processed product in various trucks.Maybe 5 in a hundred get caught.By the way the Mexican truckers who are unlicensed can stay here stateside for 29 days on day 30 he has to return to Mexico for 1 day, then he may return for another 29 days.Vicious cycle! "
To Tee Totaler wrote on May 6, 2008 9:31 AM:
" Let's not be smug about the damage that meth is doing to our nation and kids. I can assure you that people who are working towards sober living in our community are NOT sipping wine during their meetings (bad joke). They are putting their heads together to find solutions, be it meth, marijuana, alcohol or any other drug that damages lives. Alcohol is legal. I personally do not ever see the industry going away, but we can work towards letting people know the consequences of drinking. Maybe you could show up Tuesday night and be a supporter instead of a naysayer. We need more committed community members. "
Too many programs wrote on May 6, 2008 9:41 AM:
" What we need is to stop dumping money into programs that don't work. Parents should be held accountable for failing their kids. It all starts in the home. There must be more consequences. We are giving drug dealers Prop 36 and letting them out the back door. What do you expect will happen when you do that. Get the bottom feeders off of the career welfare and perhaps you could invest in people in a way that would keep them from addiction etc. We have hurt ourselves in the past 30-50 years. If there is to be treatment it should be meaningful effective treatment, not some fuzzy program that isn't going to do anything but keep someone employed that doesn't have anything else going for them. The UCLA study in fact shows that it takes 1-2 years to treat a meth addict. All of this other feel good junk needs to be scrapped and we need to put drug dealers in jail. Law enforcement needs to put more resources into drugs (and gangs) and the citizens need to support that. Otherwise it is business as usual. "
TeeTotaler wrote on May 6, 2008 12:33 PM:
" I would love to be there tuesday night...however i will be working with a group of methamphetamine addicts to help them overcome their addiction. I am not minimizing the impact of methamphetamine simply saying that if we catch the problem at the lowest level...when youth are altering their conciousness with a "legal" drug (not legal for them). They may never even try it. I remember as a teen thinking drug users were bad and looking down my nose at the "stoners" who hung out at the wall at lemoore high. If it werent for alcohol and the lack of judgement that comes with its use i would never have tried marijuana, and then meth and so on.My point in all this is to begin to look at where it starts, so often no one pays attention to an issue until it is already a disaster.Pay attention to your children, get them involved, most importantly be a role model and a source of support and realize that underage drinking is not a right of passage but a gateway to other things.Just my opinion.We all have one :D "
Its me wrote on May 6, 2008 6:00 PM:
" if nine out of ten meth users started because of alcohol then i must be the one who didnt. i and most of my friends did it out of pure boredom. we wanted something to do and loved the energy and confidence it gave us. im glad to say that i quit after only a few months and i am no longer touching meth but i wish i never started. some of my friends havent been so lucky. everyone should attend the meeting and see what we can do as friends, family, and neighbors to avoid losing anyone in our lives to this drug. "
kb wrote on May 6, 2008 10:31 PM:
" After the meeting they should head over to the Palace around 10pm and do some intervention. "
Waste of time wrote on May 7, 2008 12:18 AM:
" Meth heads use meth, they do not rape and commit robbery, they just want more meth and then they destroy their bodies to the point of no return. "
knee jerk reaction wrote on May 7, 2008 7:08 AM:
" I loved to belong to a reactionary society, you hit your knee cap to a coffee table you move the table 5 inches away, It will not help at all, maybe as one poster said, "the problem lies deeper than a brown leaves, it is well rooted". Look around us our cottage industry in San Joaquin Valley is prison system. Ten thousand inmates may equate to a ten thousand broken homes. We are society of inmates and broken homes, instead of pruning the branches to make a tree look healthy let us all seek a solution on how to cure the entire tree. We should strengthen our morals and values, we should re introduce the basic family values how to respect one another, regardless of religion or citizenship. There is only one race the human race. "
Joe Friday wrote on May 7, 2008 10:49 AM:
" Waste of time wrote on May 7, 2008 12:18 AM:
" Meth heads use meth, they do not rape and commit robbery". The idea that meth use only affects the individual is simply wrong. The addict will steal from anyone and everyone to support their habit. As someone with a family member who dropped into the black hole of meth addiction, I have seen first hand the changes this drug brings. The psychosis, tooth loss,
and body sores that do not heal are all quite real. I suggest you talk to anyone working a hospital emergency room to verify my statements. Who pays for the addicts emergency room visit or incarceration? We do as taxpayer of course! In addition you may want to speak to a cop or CPS
(Child Protective Services) worker about the children living with an addicted parent. If you do you will find neglected kids often living in filthy homes where mom or dads habit takes priority over the basics like shelter, electricity or even food in the refrigerator. I pray that you never experience a loved one going through this, please don't say only addicts are affected. "
Richard wrote on May 8, 2008 5:57 PM:
" You know, I see a lot of forums and comment boards about drugs, and I have to tell you people something. Never have I seen more intelligent comments on one page. Usually most people have their head in the sand, but there are obviously some smart people around here.
You should be proud of yourselves, because believe me, this intelligent level of discourse is not typical. It's too bad the whole country isn't as educated about this topic. Then maybe something would get done. And TeeTotaler, keep fighting the good fight!
"
a mother wrote on May 8, 2008 11:13 PM:
" Have your meth meeting. Its a start and will help. Alot more needs to be done!!!! It should start with troubled kids in 6th grade on. Maybe we would not have to build so many prisons if we can reach out and help young children when they really need the help before their youngs lives get totally off track . I have alot more to say but I will catch up with Chris Jordon one of these days with my thoughts and my story in letter form or face to face. "
to waste of time wrote on May 8, 2008 11:21 PM:
" Yes "meth heads" as you put it want meth. But your ignorant if you think that they dont hurt people. Its not like their out working and spending their money killing themselves, They're out breaking into cars and homes, stealing copper wire from farmers and streetlights, and doing various other crimes to support "their" habit. If you want to call something a waste of time look into PC 1000 or Prop 36 and then fling that verbage around.
Just because they are not are robbing people (which some are) does not mean that people are not being hurt. "
Mom wrote on May 9, 2008 7:22 PM:
" in reply to 'Waste of time's comment on May 7, open your eyes. Meth destroys lives of not only the addict, but their families as well. My son had a good upbringing with morals and rules. He used meth one time and immediately was addicted. Thank the Lord he has been clean for five years now, holding down a job and supporting a family. As he says, "when you are using meth, you have no consicence." It totally goes out the window. He stole from his parents, brothers, friends, farmers, businesses; anyone that might have something he could sell to get his next fix. If that isn't committing robbery, then tell me what is. Parents of an addict feel a tremendous amount of guilt and shame because they are asking themselves " where did I go wrong?' But I realize that I have no guilt because I would not have changed anything about his upbringing. It's just that the meth is stronger than any teaching that parents can do. My son can hardly believe that he did the things that he did. He knows that he has a reputation to overcome and trust to re-gain. "
Tracy wrote on May 9, 2008 8:08 PM:
" The "Meth Heads" down the street stole our bikes and stole our outdoor fireplace and our lawn mower gas to make up for their electricity being turned off. Another "meth head" in our neighborhood now known as "Crazy Beverly" is known for breaking into cars to steal change. Yet another "Meth Head" also known as my uncle, steals from my parents everyday. They should be enjoying their retirement but instead, they are feeding him, housing him and shuttling him to doctors' appointments due to him destroying his body from years of drug abuse. He steals from you... the taxpayers.... by getting an SSI check every month and blowing it within 7 days on Meth. He has stolen thousands of dollars via forging checks, stealing tools, stealing medication, etc. from other family members. I don't know what the answer is... to me it is doing everything in my power to educate my own children and to keep them away from alcohol, drugs, gangs and other trouble at all costs....and unless I lock them up for the next 30 years, there are no guarantees. "
When the addiction manages your life wrote on May 10, 2008 8:32 AM:
" I have worked in the trenches, Joe Friday's comments, Richard's, TeeTotaler, to name a few are on target. Then, I volunteer at a community organization or belong to a service club that do good work. On the way there I drive by or walk past our addicted citizens in the park or in other public places, pushing their kids in shopping carts with blankets with their only possessions inside. The face of addiction is more than the person using. It's the family that cares for them when they breeze by after a 5 day high and want a place to crash and finally get a meal. They can't pass a drug test so they remain homeless if they are mother's with children. If they have been using for long periods of time, they show signs of psychosis (who wouldn't seem psychotic without sleep for 3-5 days at a time?) All the while, the children are being pulled around because they may have a place to go but mom or dad haven't gotten their high just yet. Or the kids are left with anyone willing to take them in until the parent returns, no questions asked. "
Always a meth head wrote on May 11, 2008 3:33 PM:
" Rehab is only 10-20%, legalize the dope by prescription and force them to use it in a facility. I agree with Waste of Time. "
Bubba wrote on May 12, 2008 4:26 PM:
" To meth comes to the valley, drugs come because of the addiction of the US, its thirst for drugs. The Mafia (Italian) set up that system and network years and years ago. To say the undocumented people who get here with little more than the clothes they have on their back are taking anhydrouos ammonia in Gatorade bottles is about the dumbest thing I ever heard.
Why aren't you working for the American Gov't. or Superman? With all that info. you gave us have you thought of sharing it with law enforcement? "
Victor wrote on May 13, 2008 3:50 PM:
" As a former drug user, I for one wouldn't wait 29 days to get drugs from Mexico. There are plenty of drug dealers and meth labs all over the central valley. They are probably on your block "meth comes to the valley," to think that farm hands are taking a bottle of one chemical everyday and then meeting some driver on highway 5 loading 15 pallets of "Gatorade bottles" in the back of a truck that will then head off to Mexico is childish. YOU need to realize that you have all this in your own back yard. Betcha someone your kids know is using meth and I double betcha they're not getting it from Mexico. You think that Hanford is some little innocent island, well it's not. I can't believe that with all that intelligent info., you can't see that. Betcha it was a report/opinion you copied from the internet. The FBI would love to hear this info from you in light of 9/11. "
meth head parent wrote on May 16, 2008 12:31 AM:
" Let me tell you the justice system does not help, my daughter has been arrested four times in the last year. The last time was after I practically begged the probation department to check her out and she was under the influence when she showed up. Now instead of facing three years in prison, she is told to ask for jail time, get 180 days, serve about 30 and get out with no other repercsussions. Why should she change? And by the way, she steals from me, her sister and her grandmother all the time. At least she does not have custody of her kids at least. "
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