No one grows up saying, “Someday I’m going to be a meth addict.” But meth addiction happens every day and it ruins lives.
Methamphetamine use in Crow Wing County has not gone anywhere. It’s here, and according to those who see it most, it’s getting worse.
We found out firsthand how pervasive meth addiction is in the lakes area when an area family appeared on our front page after losing its home to a house fire one week and appeared again just a few days later with drug charges — among them meth possession.
This, after the Dispatch, along with other area businesses, offered to collect clothes and household items to help them get back on their feet.
People wanted to help the family, and having met them, I believe they wanted help.
The power of addiction can sometimes make help difficult to find.
But the situation started a conversation. It made us ask why is this such an issue? How pervasive is it in our community?
The hard truth is — it’s a pretty big problem.
Up until the last decade, methamphetamine use wasn’t even on the radar for area law enforcement. Now, Sgt. Joe Meyer of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department says it’s a daily issue.
“It’s still affecting families,” Meyer said. “Unfortunately it’s very prevalent in our community.”
Area law enforcement and social services workers are working hard to weed out this epidemic, but it’s not going to be easy. Every day they hear stories, or worse, confront situations where meth use has done its best to destroy someone hopelessly addicted to it.
“I wish I could say we’re working ourselves out of a job,” Meyer said. “But the truth is — we’re not.”
This story of meth use in Crow Wing County may not be breakings news, but it is something we as a community should be talking about. Meth doesn’t only destroy the lives of those who are entrapped in using, it destroys entire families, it compromises the safety of communities, and breeds crime and health concerns. Given enough time, it will take everything. This is something that affects all of us.
We wanted to educate our readers on facts about meth use in the area, what area agencies are doing to help curb the epidemic and more importantly share the stories of some of those who have overcome their addiction. Their lives show that there is hope for those caught in the seemingly bottomless pit of addiction. The only way to bring something out of the darkness is to shed a little light on it.
SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER may be reached at sarah.nelsonkatzenberger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.
Comments (32)
Add commentI believe we as a society
I believe we as a society suffer from addiction as a way to medicate the illness's of the soul and mind. It seems as though spirituality (not religion) is so hard to grasp and hold on to, as it takes such a conscious effort and strength in today's society with all the powers that pull us in different directions.
I agree and thanks for the
I agree and thanks for the article. The question is, why do people start this in the first place? We know they get the classes in school and have learned about the ups and downs of drug use. So, why do they start?
Here's why!
Here's why! http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html
The following table clearly shows the obstacles a poor person has to over come to achieve the American Dream. The table also shows why the greatest generation was so great; opportunity for this group of Americans has been unrivaled in American History. A poor person is much more likely to make/grow drugs to sell, along with a young people engaging in prostitution, all illegal, of course, than a rich or upper middle class person. But with no other way to pay the rent or have money to spend, these are the opportunities available to poor people. In the last 30 years poverty has skyrocketed while opportunity to better yourself has plummeted. The table also coincides the the Republican take over of the Federal Government in the 1980's which trickled down to the states after a couple election cycles. I sleep better at night knowing Dick Cheney made 100's of millions of dollars off the last two wars while taxpayers picked up the tab. I look forward to watching "Hubris" on Monday night.
Thanks for the reminder, grandpatax.
Was Cheney even a military veteran? Why was he so eager to sacrifice our military? Why is anyone even paying him any attention? Did Haliburton pay taxes? Was his private sector employment experience good for our country?
So many questions, so little time...
As far as meth goes, protect those children of users and quit letting them out of jail. They should be tested every week. Back to the hoosegow if they flunk! Three strikes with the testing and the children should be permanently removed from the home and allowed to be adopted by someone who is drug-free.
Meth isn't the only problem this town has.
As far as addictive drugs, we need to also focus on Risky Business which is selling "spice". I have spoke to several nurses and heard the horror stories of what this drug is also doing. I understand that it has been addressed but at this time is still being sold. You tell me that the store is open until midnight to sell their sex toys ect?? I see cars packed in the lot all day and night going in for a few minutes and coming out with no shoping bag. Also a lot of young people. There needs to be a test that can unmask the chemicals in this "spice". This potpourri is being sold for over $20. for a little baggy that says not for human consumption. Why would anyone buy it as an inscent at that price?? This drug has been an epidemic world wide. Several states are trying to stop all chemicals in this product from being used. If they can ban bath salts why not ban this? here are some effects of "spice".
1. Confusion
2. Increased Blood Pressure
3. Convulsions
4. Acute Anxiety
5. Rage
6. Vomiting
7. Hallucinations
8. Experiencing a Psychotic Episode
9. Withdrawal
10. Heart Attacks
The above side effects don't only happen while you are smoking. Some of the effects last days and weeks after. We will add a few reasons of my own that we have learned about over the past months:
11. Migraines
12. Kidney Failure
13. Vasculitis (blood vessels getting "squeezed shut")
14. Stroke
15. Death
16. Suicide
Tell me this isn't something this community should also focus on.
Gpawtax and southie,
nice Lefter ralley there. About 6 years ago I saw a sign in a Burger King that said starting wage $10.50 per hour. I believe Bush/Chaney have been gone for 4 years so this year Obama inherited his mess from Obama/Biden. Give them a call about your concerns.
P.S.
Maybe your performance didn't allow your employers to increase your pay?
grandpatax
I didn't ask why people sell, I ask why people begin to use.
If they are poor then surely they don't have the money to buy meth. You wrote about sellers, not users.
Get to the root of the problem, why do they ever start using drugs?
Also, people that are not born poor or grow up poor, use, and in the process start selling. There is a story about such a guy in this paper today.
poetpeg - thanks for the info, scary indeed. Which is my question, I just don't see why people choose to ruin their lives.
why do they start
I don't think we can answer that if we have never been an addict. I have heard stories from kids about peer pressures from their so called friends and I have heard people say" just because it's bad for some doesn't meen I will be like them. The problems aren't always with the way kids are raised, because I know pleanty of wonderful parents who have done everything the right way in teaching their children and it didn't matter. They choose to do drugs anyhow. I have watched an addict and it's heartbreaking to say the least. They may have wanted to try the drug to see what the hype was all about and were trapped in the addiction. I have heard stories of needing more of a high because weed wasn't enough anymore. I myself don't know first hand why anyone would want to put such harmfull chemicals into their bodies! Is this a combination of drinking and drugs? Some people think it's an escape from reality. But reality is it will destroy their lives far worse than what they believe it to be.
I have used drugs. Everything
I have used drugs. Everything from meth to marijuana. I am proud to say that I have a good hold on chemicals, only enjoying a beer every now and then. Why did I use to begin with? I liked them, they were available, and It was hard to see the truth at a young age. We were told a lot about drugs going through school some of it was good information, most however were scare tactics and per-versed truth. Have you ever seen reefer madness? Ridiculous! This paper was also a part of the propaganda. The BDD did a week long campaign about the horrors of meth use about a while back. They showed a women deteriorate throughout the years. The only thing is, she never changed her cloths. The photos were obviously doctored. When we lie to the public about such things we only discredit ourselves. We need to have an honest discussion about chemicals before we can be viewed as credible to people who might decide to use. The other thing is how we deal with people once they start using. We choose incarceration over treatment. Once someone becomes a user we view them as a criminal not a person. Prisons are a breeding ground for drug use. Many people report that they used more drugs then ever on the inside. Also, we label the majority of these people felons making it very difficult for them to succeed once they are released. The reason behind most of these decisions are, the powers to be make a lot of money off of these peoples.
Another thing.
Another thing. We over look the most abused chemicals available. Alcohol and prescription drugs. Don't forget cigarettes. They kill far more people then illegal drugs do.
Pay for performance? You
Pay for performance? You sound like a righty talking about school teachers. You're confusing a moral obligation with a legal obligation. Employers were not legally obligated to give their employees raises without the minimum wage law. The minimum wage was the same in 1981 as it was in 1989. It was during this time period when trickle down Republican economic policy was entrenched in our Federal and State governments. The result of this action created tens of thousands of millionaires, but also created tens of millions of Americans destined for a life of poverty. Which in turn we'll all be paying for now and years to come.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html
You've pretty much worn that link out
so come up with a new Lefter lie.
The only time I worked for minimum wage was when I worked for my Parents, when I was a kid. If you were slow enough to have been stuck there it was your own fault, gpaw.
Oh! I see we have a trust
Oh! I see we have a trust fund baby who likes ethnic cleansing.
FAD and G-Paw, I think the
FAD and G-Paw, I think the author of this article was trying to bring up a discussion about something that has been troubling this community for some time. Do you think the two of you can stay on topic? Or is your sniveling political discussion going to bear more fruit? Just wondering?
Grandpatax
Wow... Mr.Grandpatax how you jump to conclusions. A person worked for their parents at minimum wage is a trust fund baby. NO, trust fund babies like Mark Dayton usually don't work when they are kids.
We owned a business and paid our son minimum wage
to do minimum wage duties. It was a good start to learn
a work ethic (yes, it can still exist) and to learn beginner skills. And what's with the ethnic cleasing?
You may be speaking of things that are beyond your grade level.
I too started out my first real paying job in high school as a carhop.
the dude
Thank you for your honesty. I'd like to return to the subject of this article. I think we can conclude that people don't start using drugs because of what the minimum wage is.
I agree with the prescription drugs, cigs, and alcohol.
Besides getting drugs in prison/jail, people learn new tricks
for using drugs and substitutes for alcohol in treatment.
My step-daughter learned some good stuff like drinking listerine in one of her treatments. I should say one of many for her, and none worked.
This affects all families rich and poor but even though you explained your start and I know my step-daughter started in jr. high, it still doesn't explain why.
What is/was missing in your life at the time you started?
No, he made a slur that only
No, he made a slur that only slow people work for minimum wage, like your son. My point was that you would have to work for minimum wage for 30 years for your pay to double.
If drugs sneak into jails,
Are we sure prisoners aren't sneaking out?
Do they test for the presence of drugs there and then extend their sentences if the prisoners test positive?
If you can't keep drugs out of jails, then there is no hope for keeping them out of schools.
Is there a test for newborns to see if they have been exposed to drugs, and then either rehab or jail for the mom?
Make children the priority; if you endanger your child, then you should be shown no mercy.
Ever tried to teach children of addicts? Not an easy task.
Grandpatax....I read your chart and discovered I worked for minimum wage as a first year teacher! Good thing I got a summer job to help out.
I was only sluring one
arrogant lefter and I was working for non-relatives from 16 on.
Most people move up from minimum wage through hard work. Sorry to intrude dude if I ever get hooked on drugs I'll make sure to snivel for you.
Yeah, your right. Like when
Yeah, your right. Like when your in the union and work at your local paper mill.
Never worked there
and I'm non-union. I made my money the old fasioned way, I earned it! There's a lot of whining in your typing.
People earn money by
People earn money by stealing, selling drugs, extortion, blackmail, smuggling; there's are lots of way to make living. Look at our politicians, all non-union, too! You're not John Houseman, by the way, are you? He worked at Smith Barney in a commercial that was on TV years ago.
Gramps
It's hard to stay with ya when you jump all over. If you were unhappy with what ever you did-maybe you should have done something else.
I worked 50 years-some good and some bad but I don't blame anyone for any of it.
Sadie, I guess experience is
Sadie, I guess experience is what was missing from my life. I don't agree with longer prison sentences for inmates who test positive for drugs. Why would we keep them in a system that is not working. I would suggest prison reform. But then FAD's and Gramp's politicians would loose support/money from the powerful prison industrial's complex's lobbyists. Most of us have spent our time with chemicals. Even FAD said he quit the nicotine, no easy feat. and I believe I seen him mention he likes booze. He kind of comes off as an old codger so I am guessing prescriptions are keeping him alive. What he lacks in compassion, he could make up in common sense because the way we deal with drugs is not working and is costing us a lot of money not to mention the loss off human potential.
Well Dude, you strike out again.
Your condecending insults kinda refute you claims of recovery. I did quit smoking, I haven't had a stiff drink of booze for over ten years but will have a beer ocasionally and I take one little BP pill and still work over 60 hours a week.
It been a long time (never) since I let an addict preach to me and you need a little more treatment. A lot of punks drop in the tracks of old codgers!
Heinie,
I think grampaw is the dude's supplier.
Where are you people from?
It's a wonder why our community is as it is! With all this drama and trash talking one another. The subject at hand is clearly about the drugs in our community. Maybe if people stopped pointing fingers and did something as a community we could get somewhere. But clearly this will never happen. I will tell you what I have done on my own as a parent and a grandparent. I have written letters to the state senate and to the house. I have personaly talked with the senate about our issues of "spice" in our community. I have been in contact with the chief of police as well and I have started a petition to ban all chemicals in this drug as well as possibly stoping the sales of potpourri as they have done bath salts. Instead of badgering one another do something that will make a difference in our community. It gets very discouraging to see that the people of this communtiy can be this way to one another. What is this showing the younger generations? We have been dealing with Meth in our community for some time I know but this "spice " is being kept more of a secret it seems to me. We will never get rid of these problems totally but "we" as a community can put a dent in the issues if we TRY.
What happened to personal
What happened to personal responsibility?
What happened to self-discipline? Good judgement,
maturity is more than getting older.
We have to get to the root of why people start.
I know a guy in St. Cloud that is in his upper 40's and has been in and out of drugs, spent time in prison, his
parents (enablers) may lose their home because of
extra mortgages on their house used for his lawyers.
He has been in many treatment programs.
The reason you think everyone is on some kind of chemical is because that is who you hang with. It's typical treatment talk when they say "everyone I know does this or that".
No not everyone, just the people you know.
Sadie, get off your high
Sadie, get off your high horse. If you are one of the few who have not tried any chemicals then good for you, but I find it hard to believe that you have never made a mistake. You self-righteous people really get me. I am all for accountability, self and good judgement, but when you say maturity is more then getting older you obviously forgot what it was like to be 18. For goodness sake Alice Cooper even wrote a song about it. Maybe you were this self righteous when you were 18, I don't know. My point is the current way we deal with drugs is not working so we need to try new things. Maybe as a nation we could stop being so arrogant and look at how other nations deal with this problem for starters. Maybe we could get some ideas. FAD you really are a piece of work. Half the time I think you are just trying to get people's goat, the other half you are a little bit of a jerk. Like I said when I get homesick I go on the online forum and I feel so good that I moved away. Also, treatment doesn't always work, but it has a heck of a lot better track record then incarceration. These addicts are people, we shouldn't forget that. We still look on the characters that comment here with compassion. I give you all plenty of chances to prove you are all human beings. Why shouldn't we give others the same.