the ice storm sweeping Upson County

Managing Editor

It has different names. Ice, crank, tina; but the product is the same. It's methamphetamine and it's making a name for itself.

Methamphetamine is a super speed. Its effects are reportedly three and a half times more powerful than cocaine and the high from one hit can last up to 12 hours. Users can snort, swallow, smoke and shoot the drug into their veins.

Developed during World War II, the drug was distributed to fighter pilots as a stimulant intended to keep pilots alert and focused during long missions.

Although the drug never "disappeared", it did lose its popularity with users. Powder cocaine and crack (the rock form of cocaine) dominated the 80s and 90s. Only in the last decade has meths powerful grip been felt on a local level.

"I was a senior in high school when I first tried crank," said a mother of three who wishes not to be identified. "We were at a party and the buzz was this new drug that would keep you awake which meant we could party longer. I never thought that one line would send me to the depths I've been to."

Over the next two years, the young lady would enroll in nursing school and continue to date her high school boyfriend. She also continued to frequent weekend parties where crank was prevalent and available.

"It sneaks up on you," she said. "Not the rush, that's almost instant, but the desire to feel that feeling again. Almost every weekend I chased that, until weekends turned into weekdays. "

By twenty the young mother was pregnant with her first child. Aware of the effects of drugs on an unborn fetus, she cut out all partying and delivered a healthy, drug free baby girl.

"My first child was about nine months old when I tried crank again," she said. "This time it was for a different t reason. I was tired all the time from having a baby, I couldn't keep up with the household chores and the weight from the pregnancy; I just wanted it off."

Over the next six years, the mother's pattern of drug abuse continued. In this time she would give birth to two more children.

"I realized after the birth of my third child I had a problem," she said. "I thought I had it together, but my life was falling apart around me. I was thin, tired and sick."

After an intervention by a keen family member, the young mother was able to get into a group program with drug counseling. She has been meth free for one year.

"I know how to get clean, I did that over and over for many years," she said. "I just don't know how to stay clean. That's where the counseling has really helped.

Although the young mother was never arrested due to her drug use, others like her have been.

Authorities with the Upson County Sheriffs Department reported six meth related arrests resulting in jail time for the month of May. Another four have been noted for June and the month is not over yet.

Agents with the Narcotics Task Force say although they are seizing more methamphetamine during busts, the number fluctuates dramatically due to the complexity of the investigations needed for a bust.

Another local woman has dealt with the results meth can so often bring, but from a different perspective. A wife's.

“I knew something was wrong, but I never thought in my wildest dreams it was Crystal Meth,” she said. “It has been the most devastating thing to happen to our family and to our relationship. Make no mistake, it has ripple affect on everybody in the family.”

This mother of two married for over 15 years says living with someone who is addicted to crystal meth is a roller coaster.

“Its a viscous cycle. Somewhere along the way I forgot what my husband used to be like,” she said.” When they are high, they seem real happy and nice. You start second guessing yourself- is he just happy because he's happy, or is being so nice because he's using. Make no mistake, when there is no ice-the happiness will go away. You've got Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde.

“You try to convince yourself that it's normal for people to stay up all night on the computer, or fixing things,” she continued. “You try to convince yourself that the strange phone numbers on your husbands phone don't belong to the drug dealer. If you ask about possible drug use you're looking at Dr. Jeckle & Mr. Hyde-the “meth devil” is staring you in the face. When someone is on meth all they do is lie. Lie about who they talk to, where they go, and ‘naturally' where the money goes. Nothing in your house is safe, you have to lock everything up. A person on meth usually does not have a job. Their job is looking for meth. Don't give out cash for anything, if the person needs gas, go to the gas pump and put the gas in yourself. Its that simple.”

This wife says strange behavior and differentiation from schedule were triggers for her.

“Some of the things I noticed with my husband were, distance irritability, staying up all night, sleeping half the day, procrastination, starting something but not finishing. I could go on and on.”

“The best advice I can give to anyone who's loved one is addicted to crystal meth is to get into a support group, so that you can take care of yourself. Begin to learn how to stop enabling the addict. Some things are totally out of your control, but you can regain control of your own life and be happy, while detaching from the situation. I would recommend going to a support group such as Alanon. And if they don't stop-get out of the relationship. Weeks turn into months, and months turn into years-it will drive you crazy. Life's too short to live that way.”

Although these are only two accounts of meths toll, the epidemic is widespread.

“kci.org is an anti-meth site that I found extremely helpful,” says the wife. “There are several links on the site that tell people things they need to know. Like its not normal to go shopping in Wal Mart all night. When I first found it, the light bulbs were going off everywhere.”

For those looking to have questions answered or know someone who is struggling with meth, contact a qualified counselor or family physician.