Images from today's summit in Barnesville
Meth Summit anything but a bust
Many have wondered. Is it an epidemic? Is it a widespread and growing societal problem. The answer became abundantly clear when Jim Langford, executive director of the Georgia Meth Project, asked the audience before him if they or their family had been directly effected by methamphetamine. Everyone raised their hand.
I mean honestly, the kids will hear a lot of information about "meth" without being able to comprehend it fully, and will remember "meth", "fun", "play".......
I certainly hope there was something more there to show them just how dangerous meth is other than a few bongs, a starving woman, a lot of "adult" talk and a lot of fun.
At least when they show things against drunk driving, they have a wrecked, twisted, completely totaled CAR to show how dangerous it is!
I am shaking my head at this one, only in Lamar County.....
I did find myself asking if by having these young minds at the Summit would in some way steal their innocence from them as so many parts of our society do. In the long run though I think it is just part of the harsh reality of our world. We do have to educate them and it is probably better in a safe environment like the Summit.
They need to face the harsh reality of meth, and balloon jumps DO NOT do that.
I do believe they should be taught at a young age, but there shouldn't be anything "playful" about it.
I could be wrong but it would be interesting to measure the relationship aspect of serious subject matter with recreation activity.
Which mean you didnt even attend. Local agencies get together and try to explain issues surrounding the community and all you do is bitch about it, and not even attend. Do you honestly believe that a child will connect a blow-up play pen to having fun with meth? Come on. The kids see policemen, police vehicles, and the blow-up play pens. This is a way to connect children to law enforcement so that they dont only see the "bad policemen" that this community is so good at portraying.
It literally makes me sick when I see the ignorance that shines in this county. No matter what people do to try to help the community, you still have complete moron "Anonymous" bloggers that feel they need to type in a few words just to complain because their insignificant lives are missing that void and that courage to really do anything to make the community better like others are trying.
Pathetic.
If your child attended, then YOU should be the one that is ashamed if said child was under the age of 12.
And whoever had the bright idea of including the balloon jump, should also be ashamed, as well as ANYONE who approves of such!
If no one else can see the outrage in this, then no wonder Lamar County has such a drug problem, it appears to be "fun and games" by many.
As a person who has seen exactly how meth can tear up a loved ones life, I find this sickening and sad.
I don't believe you have any children either. If you did, you would understand why the inflatables were there.
And by professional, I mean "child psychologist" professional, not officers or case workers because they have no training or education that teaches them how a childs mind works.
You're obviously not a professional, so your opinion means nothing.
Oops...my bad...meth is the White man's "crack." Can't let meth destroy the lily Whites the same way crack destroyed the demonized Blacks.
OK...gocha, thur!
First things first. Saying crack cocaine is like saying coke soda. It is the same thing. Crack is a crystal product that is dissolved through a melting process while cocaine is a powder. Crack immediately enters your system through blood vessels, taste buds, nerve sources, etc. Cocaine takes longer to enter your system as it is typically snorted nasally.
Now the crack epidemic hit the United States from about 1983 to 1990; Reagan years.
In the early 1980s, the majority of cocaine being shipped to the United States, landing in Miami, was coming through the Bahamas. Soon there was a huge glut of cocaine powder in these islands, which caused the price to drop by as much as 80 percent. Faced with dropping prices for their illegal product, drug dealers made a decision to convert the powder to "crack," a solid smokeable form of cocaine, that could be sold in smaller quantities, to more people. It was cheap, simple to produce, ready to use, and highly profitable for dealers to develop.
As early as 1980, reports of crack were appearing in Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Houston, and in the Caribbean.
Crack became a drug of choice for those that could not afford cocaine. During the 80s and what is now considered years of great conspicuous consumption and Wall Street success this line was often drawn between African American's and Anglo-Saxons. That may be why you refer to crack as a drug that demonized blacks. Much in the ways it demonized blacks so did cocaine demonize whites as it became a highly acceptable party and social drug.
As to why it was not given this much attention, I ask you to think of what we have now that we didn't have during the 1980s.
1) the Internet
2) instant mass-media
3) a breakdown of tabboo conversations (i.e. families talking about members who suffer addictions)
Reagan's administration was dealing with the Iran-Contra affair, inflation, the Cold War, and a subtle loss of jobs - issues largely inherited by the Carter administration. I think it is fair to say that he was not as in touch with the streets of NYC, LA, Miami, etc. as presidents are now.
I would hope that you would think a bit further about statements such as your previous one before you go blaming it on race. I feel validated in saying race is not an issue in this matter.
I know I am not an authority and much of what I say is speculative. But I do try and think through issues and realize the world and its condition surrounding an issue before I make huge, blanket statements.
I ask you all to do the same before passing the current state of drug addiction in our country on something as basic as skin color.
-Drew
Meth is used by all races and is a disgrace to families who love their loved ones as me and my family do.
Here's a poem that is so true:
My Name Is: "METH"
I destroy homes, I tear families apart, take your children, and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember I'm easily found,..:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O />
I live all around you - in schools and in town
I live with the rich; I live with the poor,
I live down the street, and maybe next door.
I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your child's closet, and even in the woods,
If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.
I have many names, but there's one you know best,
I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.
My power is awesome; try me you'll see,
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go,
But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
You do what you have to -- just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms
Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms, your lungs your nose.
You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad,
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
I'll be with you always -- right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.
I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned - this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,
The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
That you are mine, and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away,
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master, you will be my slave,
I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.
..>..>..>..>..>..>..>
A child can be taught all the right things in life, good family, church life, excellent grades and hang with the right crowd but if the child does not learn to become self aware in a way that they know life itself is the most exciting and extraordinary gift, they could easily fall victim drug use.
Innocence in a child is a beautiful thing, but I found that being street wise, especially in today’s time, should be taught as soon as the child’s cognitive ability allows for such.
We are here on this earth for only a short time and it’s not a dressed rehearsal. We should always do what serves us best in this experience we call life. Excessive use of mind altering drugs/alcohol will only take away from that which we should cherish the most, who we are as a individual, as well as, a community.
As far as educated? (moderately) love to reading theology, Jesus freak? (no way) piety doesn’t teach one how to love. Jesus just happens to have an excellent message if you take the effort to learn for yourself what he’s really saying. Hypocrite? (I don’t think so) I know words are cheap and acts are proof positive. I try very hard to be genuine. I refuse to live my life as a lie and I have the very bad habit of calling other on theirs. Boring? (maybe) because I’ve already done it all…..well maybe not everything.
By the way….. my name is really Scott
You can rid the world of meth or crack or whatever..and these people, will find something else to get addicted to. Unless of course they find the help they need to quit and CONSTANTLEY BE AWARE OF THEIR ADDICTION.
My wife and I really wanted to attend.