When a blogger friend of mine asked me if I could help spread the word about The Meth Project, there was no question in my mind.
I had to do it.
The Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing Meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. Central to the program is a research-based marketing campaign and community action programs designed to communicate the risks of Meth use.
Drugs In My Life
Drugs have always been a part of my life. Not because of my own use – I’ve never touched a drug in my life and I never will. No, they were always in my life because of the people in my life.
I have seen family and friends lose everything because they lost their sense of self because of drugs. I have seen people get hurt, hurt others, lie, cheat and steal – all because of drugs. Luckily, I was able to learn from the mistakes of others rather than repeating them, but that’s not always the case.
Meth is More Than an Addiction
1 in 3 teens see little to no risk in trying meth
If you ask me, meth is the most dangerous drug on the “market” today. It is highly addictive and can tear apart your life. I have seen the spiral of a life torn by meth.
Meth doesn’t just hurt your body (and it does hurt your body – respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, and extreme anorexia) but it hurts the brain even more. Meth addicts are no longer themselves. They can become violent, anxious, confused and even display psychotic features (including paranoia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, and delusions). They can even become homicidal or suicidal.
1 in 4 teens see benefits in using meth
We need to educate people about meth and its effects. You have probably seen the billboards around…
They are graphic, but they portray exactly what happens to people addicted to meth.
Meth Is Not The End
Luckily, addiction can be overcome. I have seen firsthand how someone with the will to overcome can do it. The person in my life that has done it is one of the people I am most proud of. That person fought like hell to get out of that hole of addiction and is making progress each and every day.
What You Can Do
Please talk to your kids about meth and how it can change everything about them. Visit The Meth Project with them and go through the questions and answers. Watch the videos they provide and let your child see what it is all about This site does not sugar coat the truth. It can help answer the questions you might not know how to answer.
Let them know there are no benefits and there is plenty of harm in trying meth. There are no safe drugs, I don’t care what anyone says. Make sure your kids know how to avoid situations where they might be around drugs and teach them how to deal with being offered drugs.
Talk to them.
Teach them.
Save them.
I could write a novel on what meth has taken from my husband and I. My father-in-law is currently in jail because of his meth addiction. At this point, we don’t even want him to get out because it just hurts so badly to watch the vicious cycle over and over.
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Lindsay Reply:
December 2nd, 2011 at 9:23 am
Whitney, I’m sorry to hear that
I hate how meth changes people into someone unrecognizable.
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Those states about teens and meth are beyond scary. I would be curious to know what they think the benefits are??????? Scary scary stuff. I too know addiction well and while I can’t say I have never touched any drugs I am thankful that I do not seem to possess the addiction gene (well other than my food addiction) and never got any farther than experimenting with some “lighter” drugs and smoking before I had kids.
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[Reply]
Lindsay Reply:
December 2nd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I can’t think of a single benefit besides the perceived “cool factor” but I’m not even sure that would perceived with meth. It really is scary stuff. I just hope that my kids grow up with their heads on straight enough to know to stay far far away from that garbage.
Lindsay recently posted..The Meth Project
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It’s terrifying. I have a teenager and until recently I didn’t even realize what a widespread problem this is. Thanks for sharing the info!
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