May 30, 2000
Law enforcers have a new plan of attack against the growing problem of methamphetamine addiction in Utah.
The Sandy City Police Department is distributing a video titled
"Your Kid May Have A Secret."
It asks parents to take a close look at their children, and realize the problem reaches families from all socio-economic levels.
Crime Specialist Karen Scullin tells us more.
KSL News stories used in the new video highlight the severity of the meth problem in Utah. But testimonials from
addicted kids and
their parents, show meth as much more than a story on the evening news.
(From Video) Kellee: "THEN WHEN I GOT INTO HIGH SCHOOL, WHEN I WAS FIFTEEN, THAT'S WHEN I STARTED USING CRYSTAL METH."
(From Video) Parent: "FROM A'S SHE DROPPED TO C'S , THEN D'S , AND THEN WAS FAILING A LOT OF CLASSES."
Sandy City Police will try to get the video "Your Kid May Have a Secret," into every home in Sandy. The police chief tells us why.
Chief Sam Dawson/Sandy City Police Dept.: "WE ARE FACING A DRUG PROBLEM UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAVE SEEN IN MY THIRTY-YEAR CAREER."
In the video, doctors tells us how common it is to see kids come into the
emergency room high on meth,
and a psychiatrist tells us the addiction reaches every town in Utah.
Actor Wilford Brimley is the host.
Wilford Brimley/Actor: "YOU JUST MAY FIND SOMETHING HERE THAT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF YOUR CHILD."
And today, Chief Dawson told Eyewitness News the video also teaches you what's in meth.
Chief Sam Dawson/Sandy City Police Dept:
"METHAMPHETAMINE IS A DEADLY POISON, AND IT'S MADE FROM OTHER DEADLY POISONS."
And maybe most importantly, he teaches the signs of meth addiction, like:
- Change in Friends
- Change in Appearance
- Drop in Grades
- Isolation
- Change in Music
But one mother points out, with her addicted son, the common signs weren't there and she had to look deeper.
(From Video) Parent: "I DIDN'T HAVE THOSE SIGNALS. WHAT I NOTICED IS THAT HE WAS DISTANCING HIMSELF MORE AND MORE... IT'S NOT A HOPELESS SITUATION, THERE IS A REMEDY. THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL OVER TRYING TO FIND A COMMON SOLUTION TO A COMMON PROBLEM."
Sandy police will start distribution through churches and shopping malls,
and police officers will carry them in their car trunks.
All chiefs of police in Utah, sheriffs, and city mayors will have a copy to dub or distribute as they wish.
