Meth Mountain

By Some Chick | Comments (16) | Trackbacks (0)

A&E’s Meth Mountain hits home for some Alabama residents

Marshall County Alabama - small in population, big on meth use; so big in fact that it’s earned the nickname Meth Mountain and a one hour special episode of A&E’s Intervention. A once-perfect location to raise a family has turned to a place that destroys them. A place where 10% of babies are born affected by meth and 40% of children in state custody are there because of their parent’s meth addiction.

“Marshall County offers ideal conditions for meth to take off” says narrator Merideth Viera while a sheriff’s deputy goes on to explain that the trailer laden terrain is perfect for isolated meth labs and that meth is frequently made by people who generally pass around meth making recipes found on the internet. (Side note: It really irks me that people can freely and easily find meth making recipes online, so of course I like to put my own spin on how to make meth).

This video chronicals the stories of several viewpoints including that of Meth Mountain resident and Mothers against meth founder, Dr. Mary Holley who’s own brother committed suicide after years of meth use. Watching it may leave you wondering how things got so bad there or might even challenge you to wonder what you can do about it.

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    Viewing 16 Comments

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      I saw this special...found it a little too exploitative, but there is a real crisis in many rural areas that like you said is destroying communities and families. I work with a meth addiction treatment center near Sacramento and even here in beautiful sunny California, things aren't quite what they seem (surprise surprise, right?). Meth certainly isn't a dominant "urban" drug but in recent years its use has been spreading to suburban communities out this way. Did you know that the central valley of California has been labeled the "meth capital of the world"? Maybe A&E should do another special on "Meth Valley," though I wish they would talk more about successful law enforcement and addiction treatment strategies.
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      Hi Matt - I too live in California and have also been to the area in which you speak. Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno et. al. and they are no different than the place where I grew up (the Antelope Valley - Palmdale area) in that they have been labeled a meth capital of someplace or another. I would love to see where Central Valley was officially given the title "meth capital" title however. As I mention in my about me article; I grew up thinking the Antelope Valley was the meth capital. Sadly it's no argument that many, many cities rank high on the meth capital list.
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      This hurts. This is my home. A sacred place where so many sweet memories blossomed. Where I came to be and grew to be. Even though I live on the other side of the country I suffer everyday with the effects of meth use by my children. Plural. The mountain. No -- I will call it by the RIGHT name --- SAND Mountain, is where my mind goes when I need to escape the realities of my life. And now it's poison too. So very sad.
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      Hi Teri - I am sorry to hear about your children.
      I do hope that if nothing else, this documentary will raise awareness enough to get the county more funding for programs like the one run by Dr. Holley.
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      Hi Teri.. I also grew up on Sand Mountain. I went to highschool at Albertville in the mid-90's before meth was a big deal in our communities. Though.. as I grew older I saw first hand how a horrible drug can ravage families. I have family members who have suffered for many years because of this terrible drug. I was no church boy when it came to experimenting.. though I never had to struggle with the ups and downs of trying to get clean and relapsing. I've read your posts here about your son managing to actually find the good side of rehab and his fight to get.. and stay clean. And I just want to give him.. and your family my blessings. And in no way what so ever do I want to sound negative on the matter.. there are some down sides to getting treatment locally in Marshal County.. if that is where he is getting it. What most people who aren't from a small area as we are do not realize is that the "Meth-family" on Sand Mountain is SO close. Such a "tight-nit" group. And when you have the majority of the members of a drug-friendship all going to the very same facility trying to get treatment.. it makes is even more hard to come out of it with a good step in the right direction. The friends and family members that I've had that have gone to Marshal County's rehab have all had good intentions while entering into the program. But.. it's sad to say that having just one false person in such a tight group can bring the whole group back down again. So.. as I'm sure you know very well.. the hardest part of the cleaning process will be disassociating your son from these people. I grew up with the people in this documentary. I've known Cole and Shanta.. as well as Chuck since I was an early teenager. Cole was actually my cousin's (Which is no longer alive due to drug abuse) best friend growing up. So I've seen these people struggle with this ongoing problem ever since it became a problem in our community. I myself actually moved away from Marshal County about 6 years ago just because so many of my loved ones and friends were going through this very problem.. and I'm sad to say that any good advice would be to just move away. I would be ignorant to say that other cities or towns don't have the same amount of trouble with meth as Marshal County.. but what you'll find is that when you live somewhere that you don't know everyone that deals or abuses meth, it would be a little easier to progress in the cleaning process. I know that moving from a place you've called home your entire life shouldn't have to be an alternative, but maybe it's an alternative that should be looked into. I truely wish your family the best!
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      Matt this morning I have the best news I could hope for. My son has been missing for more than a week on yet another binge. Last night he called his Father to come and get him. He said it hit him that he had a family that loves him and that he wants to commit to recovery and get help. Since you work in a facility, I'd like to ask you what I should look for in a Substance Abuse Treatment program for my son?
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      Hi Teri - know you posed this question to Matt, but I wanted to just say that's wonderful news. The first step towards making a recovery is for the addict to want it - as parents we can't wish our kids sober. Thank God he sounds like he's moving in the right direction. I truly wish you both the best and will say a prayer for you and your family. Please keep us updated.
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      Hi Again, I wanted to get you some information as soon as I could, as Matt may not reply to your question. Here are some things to consider:

      Get treatment at a local facility if possible as this will make it easier on all involved and will help with the continuing care aspect of treatment.

      Understand that you as well as the rest of your immediate family will need to become involved in his treatment. This doesn't mean you will need to be at every single appointment, but try to be as open and receptive to facilitators requests as possible.

      You and your family will also need to seek treatment and understanding on how to help your newly-sober son once he's out of rehab. You will also need to educate yourselves on the signs of relapse.

      I hope this helps and again - I wish you all the very best!
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      I've found your site very helpful and will add more when we are out of this crisis. This morning I am contacting a facility which was referred to me. My son wants to go into a treatment center -- not outpatient. We'll see if we can get it done. I know more about meth than most....this is my second son that has fallen to its clutches. In some ways that's good, because I cannot be fooled and I know what to watch for. I wish I had some extra money to donate to Dr. Holley's program. Thanks for your help. And your site. I'll let you know how this went today.
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      He's in treatment!
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      Teri - that's great news! I'm so happy for you guys.
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      Recovering from meth Addiction is possible, but not easy . I'm a survivor and have been clean for 12 years. It is hard work staying clean even after 12 years, you have to want it . Don't give up.
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      Awesome Jack! Thank you for sharing some words of encouragement. Getting clean IS possible, but as you said -- YOU have to want it. No one else can wish an addict clean.
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      Yesterday I visited with my son in treatment. Everyone at the facility went out of their way to make sure I knew what a wonderful person he is...so polite, so caring. Newly entered young men spoke over and over about how my son had inspired them that they can do it. He is truly high on being clean. He's new to it, and has yet to employ the tools he has learned in treatment. I have to admit I'm leary of the roller coaster ride that could come. But I will take this seat anyday to the alternative. I couldn't be happier. Today I have my son back and he is once again full of hope for his life. If anyone can do it, I believe he can!!!
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      I can't tell you how happy I am that you get to have your son back. Isn't it wonderful to see life in his eyes once again?
      I pray that he can continue through treatment and beyond to fight the temptation to use. Stay strong!
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      I completely understand what you're saying here. I was born in Albertville; the entire area is covered with my relatives. However, I never lived there. I haven't lived in AL since I was a teenager. Sand Mtn. is my home because it is my parents' home. They are there, as is most of my family. This is a very special place for me ....it just makes me sick what this drug has done to that community. But we are on the other side of the US, my son has his job back. He's working hard to stay clean and has his nose buried in books (school). He has DROPPED all of the people who use! I take one day at a time. Because there will always be temptation here where he knows people who use, I would LOVE to send him to family to stay well. But the sad fact is that meth is more available there than it is here. So glad you moved away and realized that was necessary to stay clean. I'll keep you in my prayers.
     
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