DEATH * BY * METH

This is dedicated to Travis Holappa who was kidnapped, tortured and murdered on July 25, 2004 in Northern Minnesota. This was all due to meth. I am Travis' mother and I wish to make this devastation turn into a better thing by educating and exposing the truth about meth, the dangers, and the deadly consequences it brings about to individuals and communities.

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Location: Colorado, United States

I want to do what I can to educate people about what is going on around the world with the meth problem. I want people to know about it BEFORE they even get the idea to want to try it. It is a dangerous drug and will ruin your life as well as all those who love you. I am on a mission on behalf of my only son, Travis.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

MEADA presents message of hope (Minnesota)

This MEADA (Methamphetamine Education and Drug Awareness) message was written by Margaret Munson, Wright County Court Services.

Probation officers with Wright County Court Services frequently deal with offenders who have chemical dependency-related issues. The most critical of them is methamphetamine.

About four years ago, the court system asked for a program that addressed meth use with pre-trial controlled substance cases. From that, a pre-trial drug testing program was developed. In the beginning of the program, it felt like everyone was using, no one could stay clean before or after treatment. But in the last four years, things have really improved. More individuals are supervised than should be, but the ones that come into the system have more choices. Local programs have done an excellent job expanding their program to adapt to the needs of the addicted client. The providers have realized that the addict needs more than just 28 days to heal and recover. A positive outcome of this hard work is that more people are entering treatment and embracing recovery, rather than taking up space in the jail system.

The formation of MEADA two years ago, along with the other work going on in Wright County, is making a true difference for all citizens in our county.

When drug offenders choose rehabilitation over jail time, everyone benefits in the long run. A local woman who has been under supervision for the last 16 months is now a poster child for hope and recovery. At first, this 49-year-old petite woman weighed about 120 pounds and had very few teeth left in her mouth as a result of her meth abuse. Her involvement with the manufacture of meth in travel trailers earned her a trip to jail. When she was bailed out, the problems continued. Her children were taken away and she wasn’t allowed to have contact with them. She was left homeless with no job, support and addicted to meth. She went to live with a friend where they used meth and was in and out of jail several times.

The day her life started back on track was the day she entered a drug treatment program. Her treatment experience opened her eyes to see how the drug damaged everything she knew. She is still sober from meth.

Upon completion of her treatment program, she became involved with a group called “Network for Life.” This organization connected her with employment, a place to live and she received needed support. Over the last year she has become more independent, living on her own, allowed to have contact with her children and has health insurance. There is a criminal case still pending, but due to the hard work she had done, things look more positive for her today. She recently showed up at the office smiling, with a new set of false teeth and they were beautiful.

Looking at this woman was a great reminder that there is hope and life after meth.

See story at:
http://www.erstarnews.com/2006/July/3meada.html

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