Teens, community should be aware of meth's ill effects

The ingredients of methamphetamine are so inconspicuous that they may even be kept in your own kitchen cabinet without you having the slightest clue. Most of us would have never thought it would become such an issue, especially in the Augusta area.

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But just last month, a man was arrested for producing meth near Butler High School. Meth causes the individual who uses it to have side effects such as hallucination, decreased appetite, brain damage, and picking and scratching of the skin.

Research and reports have proven that more students than we think are using, or have used, methamphetamine. When there are certain problems in the household, school, or any mental or emotional stressors burdening you as a teenager, you are going to be looking for a way out. Even though drugs is dangerous, and risky thing to turn to, it is the easiest.

But sources such as music, movies, and certain sites on the Internet display contrariwise consequences of using meth. Susceptible teenagers are more likely to convert to meth, especially if they are looking for that “escape plan.”

With this affecting our community so rapidly police, parents of users, and addicts are suggesting an anti-meth campaign, which will use graphic images of its effects, individuals who have used this drug, and will also allow abusers to share their experiences. Videos have been approved to show in Richmond County schools.

I believe that both abusers and non-abusers should be a part of this campaign to hopefully put a death to meth in our area. I also believe this will be an eye-opening experience not only to teenagers, but to everyone. If we don’t stop what undermines our city and our people now, then we’ll be making room for other drugs, and barriers to dilapidate our society soon.

Though this is a sad, and near disturbing topic, I believe that most teens will see the attempt to stop the usage of meth as the death of any other illegal “escape plan” instead of just turning to another. Participating in this campaign and seeing what it has to offer will demonstrate the brutal realities to us all, terminate drugs in this city and continue to present us as unsurpassed citizens.

Teen Board Member Saroya White is a sophomore at A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School