Jolene Smith
A Note From
The Editor
Jolene Smith
A new year, a new perspective and a new run on the cover and the articles. One thing about life, you have to keep going forward!
We will continually address teen drinking and methamphetamine and we are doing new research on prescription drug abuse. We gleaned the following excerpt from an APR news release, “Abuse of prescription drugs to get high has become increasingly prevalent among teens and young adults. Past year abuse of prescription pain killers abuse now ranks second—only behind marijuana—as the Nation’s most prevalent illegal drug problem. While overall youth drug use is down by 23 percent since 2001, approximately 6.4 million Americans report non-medical use of prescription drugs. New abusers of prescription drugs have caught up with the number of new users of marijuana. Much of this abuse appears to be fueled by the relative ease of access to prescription drugs. Approximately 60 percent of people who abuse prescription pain killers indicate that they got their prescription drugs from a friend or relative for free.”
It appears that OxyContin is rearing it’s ugly head. Our loyal readers will remember the piece we ran about Jack Osbourne, Ozzy’s son a few years back. We have an outstanding article on page 12 from NPR regarding OxyContin abuse among our youth.
As we researched new articles, we came across a web site,
www.theflamepresentations.org, that came about after the death of an 18 year old girl from methamphetamine. The girls mother, Mary Haydal, heads up the program, The Flame Presentations, based out of Montana. Mary travels to many states to give presentations on the dangers of the drug, according to her own real life experience and research. The story of the young girls tragic ending is on the web site and we have published much of it starting on page 17. As I read the tragic tale and did some editing on the piece, I found it difficult to focus my eyes; they were continually over run with tears. It really struck home with me. Cassie, Mary’s daughter, was the same age as my youngest daughter. I kept thinking her story could have been my own. I am quite sure that as it is read, most all will have the same reaction, whether the reader is a parent, a friend of a user or a user themselves. The presentations Mary gives are tailored to the needs and education level of the group she is presenting to. In my opinion, Mary is an incredibly brave and spiritual woman to be able to make educating people about meth and eradicating it from our lives her goal and focus. She has an inner strength and light that is truly astounding.
Be sure to check out the article on page 15, Taking a S.T.A.N.D. It was sent to us by an educator in Joliet, Montana. The group is comprised of students, teachers and parents who believe as we do; working together and education are the keys to success.
We continue to hold to the premise that working together we can make a difference and that prevention through education is one of the primary keys. We love to hear from our readers, both positive and negative input, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are also always looking for information and stories from each of the states we publish in. If you have something to share, send it in! Our contact information is:
Alert Magazine, LLC
P.O. Box 4833
Boise, ID 83711
800-398-0842
alertmagazine@aol.com
We look forward to hearing from you and we consider it an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to publish and distribute the magazine. We sincerely hope that what we share is beneficial to all who read it. Thanks to our many loyal sponsors who work beside us in this time of economic strain in the nation. We know that your donations are a real sacrifice when times are tough and we truly want you to know how deeply appreciated you are by all of us here and all of the people our publication reaches.
As always, with love and concern,
Jo
