The Duncan Banner

Local News

October 12, 2008

Crystal Darkness Oklahoma campaign offers meth education

Pain, trauma associated with drug addiction

John Walker

DUNCAN — By John Walker

The Duncan Banner

Anyone who knows someone who is addicted to methamphetamine knows the pain and trauma that is associated with the drug.

They watched their friend or loved one slowly change into a different individual because of their addiction. They no longer seek what they used to seek — just the next high.

Justin Scott, who is an investigator for the district attorney’s office, said an addict’s only thought is chasing the original high.

“The first time they do the drug is the highest high they will ever get,” Scott said. “But they will never be able to get back to it.”

There is hope, however, for those who have become addicted.

The Crystal Darkness Oklahoma campaign, which is headed by a group of people including Oklahoma first lady Kim Henry, aims to tackle methamphetamine abuse across the state starting next year.

Their campaign goes into full swing 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13 when they will air a 30-minute documentary about the drug on every Oklahoma television station.

Scott is excited for this program.

“It’s probably going to open some eyes of the general public,” he said. “They will see how meth affects people who are addicted. Law enforcement sees this stuff almost every day. Once someone is addicted, he is a different person.”

Scott said that law enforcement is a key ingredient to curbing the problem. Meth is not made in “labs” in America as much anymore because of the regulations on some of the ingredients, he said.

“It is mostly imported from Mexico through the drug cartels now,” Scott said.

Law enforcement is the organization that can seek out the traffickers and distributors of the drug, he said.

“You will always have people addicted, but they are addicted because there are people trafficking the drug,” Scott said.

After the documentary is shown on all the networks in January, phase two of the Crystal Darkness campaign begins, which will include local schools, parents and groups throughout the community.

Larry David, who is the assistant superintendent of Duncan Public Schools, said that their office will be receiving a letter in the mail in the next few days explaining how they can participate in the program.

“We’ll be inviting parents and people to a place to talk with them about meth,” David said. “We’ll teach them what to look out for.”

This program has been in the works for over a year. Wes Lane, who is president of the Burbridge Foundation and one of the people heading the program, said that someone approached him about the idea of this program last fall.

“I was initially highly skeptical about the program,” Lane said. “But when I checked it out, I changed my tune because I saw how powerful it was on a community.

“I saw the tremendous community galvanizing effort and tool because of this program. I saw people come out of the woodwork to want to be a part of this.”

One of the benefits of the this program is that it gets people educated about the problem and gives all kinds of help to those who are addicts, Lane said.

Crystal Darkness are looking for people to participate and volunteer as a local community leader. Anyone who is interested can call 405-949-2400 and ask for Lane. For more information, log on to their Web site at www.crystaldarknessoklahoma.org.

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