Terry Teach
English 102
Laura Cline
25 March 2012
The Truth of Addiction and the
Effects on the Family and Community
madd.org
“Hey,
check this out, oh come on give it a try” as an indescribable pleasure
overcomes your body and your mind. “Meth addicts try
to maintain the high by taking more of the drug. In some cases, abusers indulge
in a form of binging known as a "run," foregoing food and sleep while
continuing abuse for up to several days.”(EscapeMeth.com) “Methamphetamine causes increased activity and
talkativeness, decreased appetite, and a general sense of well-being. Even
small amounts of methamphetamine can produce euphoria, increased alertness,
paranoia, decreased appetite and increased physical activity. Other central
nervous system effects include athetosis (writhing jerky or flailing
movements), irritability, extreme nervousness, insomnia, confusion, tremors,
anxiety, aggression, incessant talking, hyperthermia, and convulsions. Other Meth
addiction symptoms include may include a variety of cardiovascular problems,
such as rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure.
Hyperthermia (extreme rise in body temperature as high as 108 degrees) and
convulsions sometimes can result in death.”(Escapemeth.com)
This is the truth of addiction and the
effects on the family and community. Meth
starts out feeling good, euphoric even. Everything is all right, the user feels
strong clear headed and able to do anything that is put in front of them. The feeling
may continue for a short period, but may last for years. At some point Meth
will corrode the body and soul. It will start by taking away small joys of life
like dancing or playing sports. It begins to interfere with work and close
relationships. Staying up all night and forgetting where a person needs to be
at a certain time. Employers and spouses become angry when they are forgotten
about. God is forsaken and Meth takes his place.
Meth will take the place of all pleasure;
nothing feels good anymore, unless it is mixed with Meth. Addicted men may hold erections for hours
under the influence but it is nearly impossible to obtain when they are not
using. Usually the more Meth they use the less they are able to accomplish this
feat. It does not matter because if they are out of Meth they only care for getting
more Meth. Addicts will do anything to obtain these shiny clear crystals.
Soon teeth disintegrate the face and skin
begin to pit and not long after the mind is also corroded. For one reason or
another the addict leaves or gets fired from legit jobs and become criminals of
one type or another, be it a cook, dealer, thief, or prostitute, some even sell
their children. In the chasing of the Meth, the families have fallen apart.
Sometimes there is a mature child in the home
that will take on the parent’s role and do their best to take care of the
family. Sadly, the child ends up taking care of the parents. These children while knowing the importance of
education give it up. Children are supporting their families because the parent
has physically, emotionally, and/or mentally abandoned them. The children help
to hide what is happening at home. They fear that their parents will be taken
away. These children not only have their
childhood taken but also their dreams. ”The Meth world requires this,
basically, because serious Meth users are incapable of summoning much in the way
of domestic effort and neglect the welfare of their kids at least much as they
neglect their own” (Interview Woodrell p. 5) Unlike Ree, not all children left
behind are skilled in hunting or have been left a home with land and many
trees. Many children of Meth learn to tell you what you want to hear, so they
can get what they need from you. They learn to lie, cheat and steal to survive.
They learn that the law and authority are out to get them. They are running,
hiding no time to rest they do not even know why. They have sacrificed lives for their siblings but
the chances that they will get out and their siblings graduating are almost
nil.
There are times that many family members
are involved in this way of life. For instance, Uncle Teardrop, Milton, Arthur,
Harold and Haslams are part of the list of names in Woodell’s Winter’s Bone
p.62. They take pride in their work” “Jarvis ,in a town full of Meth cooks was
considered one of the finest”(Methland p42),”Shit, Jessup’s just about the best
crank chef these Dolly’s and them ever have had girl”( Woodell p.14 ) They recruit the young ones teach them
to be tough, to slid by the law , not give out information. This why in Ree’s
conversation with Blond Milton (Woodell p.77), Ree is so determined Sonny would
not go to live with them even though she knew that Blond was Sonny’s father. Ree never goes to the church or Child
Protection Service. The book does not mention food stamps or any financial
assistance that would be available to families living in poverty of this
magnitude. No other agencies that could
help her have been mentioned either, why?
According to the Annual Statistical Supplement Bulletin “More than 3.2 million children
under age 18 received benefits, including 1,239,083 children of deceased
workers, 1,660,196 children of disabled workers, and 309,512 children of
retired workers.” causing extra cost and burden on the
local and federal communities.
Why would she have been taught not to get real
help? Ree would not even ask the neighbors for help. (Woodell p.5)
The Methland article tells us that
the effect of meth has devastated the mid- west and many small towns are no
longer existing. The dilemma worsens
with each generation unless by the grace of God there is some type of
intervention. Without intervention the children usually do not finish high
school. Get involved with the drug themselves. Get pregnant at early ages and
raise their children the same as they have been taught.
Another gruesome effect meth has on the
family and community is violent sexual acts.
“Because of the drug’s sexually arousing effects, the incidence of
sexual and physical abuse, as well as the presence of pornography (which is
accessible to the children), is significantly higher in homes where
methamphetamine is used.” (Dave Rodriguez p.14) metheffects
One
thing everyone should be aware of is the unseen effects of meth and meth labs.
What is left over in the home, apartment and garages? “Clandestine
laboratories can now be found all across the nation, including rural, city, and
suburban areas. Methamphetamine can be manufactured in barns, garages, the back
rooms of businesses, apartments, hotel and motel
rooms, storage
facilities, vacant buildings, wilderness areas (both public and private), and
vehicles.” (Dave
Rodriguez p.18) “The toxic waste generated by methamphetamine production
poses an environmental risk in that an estimated six pounds of waste is
produced for every pound of methamphetamine manufactured. Methamphetamine
‘cooks’ have been known to leave the waste at the lab site, dump it alongside
roads, or leave it in garbage bags for the local trash collector.” The potential for these chemicals to reach
ground water and to affect the environment is great. In addition, innocent and
unsuspecting citizens are often exposed and injured when
they attempt to
dispose of the waste.” (Dave Rodriguez p.18)
Many times a person born into the lifestyle never knows there are other
options. A friend or teacher may recognize signs early and get help for the
family. Programs like Home Headstart are
able to intervene. What happens when a family is so into their addiction that
they don’t allow outsiders in? It is up to neighbors to make the call. Once
authorities find these children they can help them to enter or re-enter
schools. Education and
rehabilitation are only the beginning these children need loving home, help
them build their confidence and find their self- worth.
As you can see meth is not just a problem
of an individual, a family problem, those people… Meth is a community problem
local, state and national. Maybe you have never even thought of trying meth.
How many of your children, friends and family member have? I have an aunt and
at 45 years of age tried it for the first time. She went on a run spent over $50.000
dollars (her life’s savings) in one year and does not believe she has a problem.
Meth can strike anyone! We all have a responsibly
to help end this epidemic. If you know someone do not be afraid to seek help
for them. Call C. P. S. Whatever you can maybe the parent cannot be saved but
the child can. This is your problem! http://www.stopdrugs.org/
Works
Cited
Dave Rodriguez – Director Northwest High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Area Program, Seattle, Washington March 2006
http://mfiles.org/publications/Methandrelatedcrime.pdf
Meth Addiction and Meth Addiction
Symptoms
Copyright ©2005-2010 EscapeMeth.com -
Reding, Nick Bloomsbury,
New York, Berlin, London, n.d., pag 1-18
and 40-57
Woodell, Daniel A
Conversation With Daniel Woodell
Reading Group Guide 2007
Woodell, Daniel Winter’s Bone Back Bay Books New York
2006
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