Students join fight to eradicate meth

By Cathy Logg

Herald Writer

EVERETT — Four Granite Falls Middle School students say they live in "one of the leading cities in the country with a methamphetamine problem."

The quartet took time out from classes Tuesday to attend the Snohomish County Methamphetamine Summit at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

The youths were among more than 400 people who met to map out strategies to stop the spread of the illegal drug.

"We want to get other students in middle or high school to know the dangers and what meth can do to you and stop using," student Zac Londerville said.

Much of the conference focused on youths and how they are affected by the drug. Three recovering drug addicts told their stories of addiction and urged those at the conference to keep working to eradicate methamphetamine use.

The conference was hosted by Lt. Gov. Brad Owen, Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel and Sheriff Rick Bart.

Owen urged attendees to devise a strategy that encompasses prevention, treatment and enforcement, and to be creative in finding ways to fund those measures, particularly this year when the state is facing "a tremendous loss of revenue."

He also suggested focusing on the successes, such as every child who chooses to be drug free and every drug abuser who completes treatment.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen discussed congressional actions in the war on drugs, including $4 million earmarked for the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative. Snohomish County expects to receive some of the money.

"I wish it could have been more," he said.

So does Ashley, one of two recovering teen addicts who told their stories and identified themselves only by their first names.

"People always say how much money it takes to fix (the drug problem)," she said. "It’s so worth it because, in the long run, you’re going to save so many people from so much anguish."

Methamphetamine and other drugs sent Ashley on a spiral from a good student with a steady job to one who was failing school. When she told her parents she was an addict and needed help, they didn’t believe her.

Brandon, another recovering addict, has been off drugs for more than a year.

"I kind of represent a deeper, darker side of drugs," he said. "I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. It’s hard talking about it. Not everybody knows how big the problem is in Snohomish County. It’s a problem that’s out of control.

"Continue trying to make a difference, and eventually things will change," he said.

Peer pressure to try drugs is increasing, T.J. Milless said.

"People ask you to go out and to party," said his friend, Emmanuel Bazan. "You know there are going to be drugs there."

Dakoda Stefenson said the middle school students were excused from their classes to attend the summit, but they have to make up the work missed.

"Sometimes kids won’t listen to adults, but they’ll listen to other kids," Londerville said.

The four want other students to learn what drugs such as methamphetamine do to the body so they will stop using drugs. The boys agreed they learned a lot that other teens need to know. They plan to continue their efforts by joining the ongoing Snohomish County Methamphetamine Coalition.

The coalition, including the summit facilitators, will meet Feb. 7 at the Snohomish County Courthouse.

"We’re really happy with the (summit) turnout," Bart said. "What we’re after is getting these smaller groups to attend the coalition meetings and better refine and localize the plan. We’ll be able to take it to Granite Falls or Marysville or wherever.

"The bottom line is to get people involved," he said.

You can call Herald Writer Cathy Logg at 425-339-3437 or send e-mail to

logg@heraldnet.com.

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