Georgia County Government - October 2008 - (Page 43) for the substance goes up, and the addict needs more and more. Eventually, anhedonia occurs – without the drug, they cannot experience pleasure at all. Unlike other recreational street drugs, Beaver asserts, methamphetamine activates multiple “pleasure centers” in the brain instead of one or two, like other recreational drugs such as cocaine, and soon the individual is driven to do anything to obtain a fi x. Th is is where crime enters the picture, as well as neglect of one’s health, job, and family – children are special victims of methamphetamine addicted parents. The drug’s nicknames – “nitro” and “super crank” for instance – signify its special power over those using it. According to Waters-Rose, it becomes a problem for the person addicted, “from the bottom up.” Then, a deadly spiral begins. “The person himself is not hooked on it alone. The whole family is hooked,” Waters-Rose explains, adding that then, the problem begins compounding in other ways. “If they’re cooking it, it becomes an environmental problem, involving toxic chemicals left on the scene, dangerous to the entire community. When someone is apprehended on drug charges, the problem grows into a legal problem, often involving family violence and child neglect.” Things escalate further. Meth can kill its victims, and quite often, has done just that. “The addict is not atypically consumed by the drug. They become exhausted, sleepless, and deranged, and experience malnutrition and dramatic weight loss as the drug kills their appetite. Ultimately, it ends with changes in the brain, changes that can cost someone the ability to lead anything resembling a normal life,” Waters-Rose concludes. “Addicts can easily kill themselves. A combination of factors including potency of the drug, and the overall health and genetics of the addict can mean a severely shortened lifespan.” The most recent trafficking includes more deadly versions of methamphetamine, says Troy Beaver. “In labs where people made it themselves, meth was only maybe 40 percent ‘pure,’ ” he notes. “Mexican-made meth, which comes in via highly organized drug cartels, is 80 percent ‘pure.’ People tend to smoke it, and a smaller quantity is required to get someone high. It’s also very easy to find, and easier to bring across the border.” Unfortunately, the Mexican drug trade, too, much like ordinary commerce, is greatly facilitated by the interstate system here, particularly I-85 to Greenville, Watkins notes. Federal Assistance, Laws The grant endowment required the establishment of an Advisory Board to operate the New Hope clinic in Union County, according to Watkins, bringing members of the whole community to bear on solving the meth crisis in North Georgia. Representatives from local colleges, churches, human service agencies including DFACS, local governments, legal entities, judges, and the Department of Labor all came together on the board to target the community and promote awareness of the dangers of meth addiction, as well as the necessity and benefits of treatment. UNION COUNTY continued on page 44 “The Center of Opportunity” Board of Commissioners Pat B l Chairp rson Pat Bell, Chairperson i To Crow Comm ione ist ict Tom Crow, Commissioner District 1 er tr Bruce Yates, Commissioner District 3 r Yate mmiss oner Dist i t ss s Jody Thompson, Commissioner District 2 ody hom so dy omp mmissio o stric i Dw Dwain Smith, Commissioner District 4 Smith, Commissio e Di rict , m ione o 67 Athens Street, Jefferson, Georgia 30549 www.jacksoncountygov.com (706) 367-1199 396384_Jackson.indd 1 OCTOBER 2008 8/14/08 1:23:04 PM www.accg.org 43 http://www.jacksoncountygov.com http://www.accg.org
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