To the editor:
As a recovering addict I am currently behind barbed wire fencing that keeps me safe from drugs. After two long years of battling a meth addiction, with one attempt at rehab, and a few incarcerations at county jail, I am now free from the monster that calls my name. I’d like to inform my hometown and county about the constant bully I encountered for the first time in May of 2014.
My son’s father battled the monster unsuccessfully about a year and a half after we had him. I was unaware my soon-to-be bully even existed in his or my future life. My son’s father went on to battle this bully, leaving my son and I at home. Being a single mother I had a few problems, but those were nothing compared to the nightmare I’d walked into. I became hooked after trying meth once.
I’d lost sight of my motherhood, family, friends, goals, future, daily routines, and natural energy; everything I held near and dear to heart. I’d come very close to being homeless and I was truly convinced I’d lost my mind.
Every day was another mission to gather local ingredients to have made into methamphetamine. I would haggle and exchange medications, money and items to convince others to buy the nasal decongestant through the pharmacy to obtain the main ingredient to be made into methamphetamine. I’d hang around others who were just as mesmerized over the making of the popular monster. I’d accumulated more “friends” in the “business” than I could keep up with. I’d drive nonstop without a license without a care in the world. Before long I was hanging with the crowds I’d sworn I’d never belong to.
I knew what addiction looked like yet I could not control myself or my addiction. I was powerless. I’d come near to ending my entire life. I watched many lose a lot to this monster. I’m grateful that the local law enforcement intervened with my bully, saving my life even with the prison sentence.
I read the Aug. 19 Houlton Pioneer Times and an article written by the Limestone Chief of Police titled, “Aroostook needs better drug education, treatment.” This article caught my attention immediately and I insisted on adding my experience to stand up and plead with the communities to ban Sudafed and other nasal decongestants like it that are bought through the pharmacy. Please eliminate it from public hands.
Be aware that this medication is very life-threatening to the community as well as individual addicts. It truly does endanger all people. Addicts are creating this meth monster using many household ingredients and “shaking” these fatal products together in neighborhoods everywhere. Please be aware and help prevent how easy these nasal decongestants can be gathered and abused. It could definitely save many individuals’ futures.
From the Chief of Police down to the prisoner, it is true that Aroostook has a big problem with drugs and can do something about it.
Name withheld
