11/02/09 Bend
This week is an especially interesting one for us at KOHD, as it brings the debut of a long-discussed four-part special series. Allison Martin, Anchor of "KOHD Daybreak," is sharing "Life Interrupted," an in-depth look at the challenges facing those addicted to illegal drugs here in Central Oregon.
There isn't a newscast that goes by in which we don't touch upon the secondary effects of drug-use (domestic violence, property crime, etc.), and it's a rare newscast that doesn't touch on some of the contributing factors to drug use (poverty, unemployment, etc.), but we don't make a habit of looking the problem straight in face, in all its ugliness.
The big shame is that, for the vast majority of our viewers, it won't be news. How many of us have sailed through life with out witnessing the wickedness of drugs, on family, friends, or ourselves? Few, I'm afraid. Still, Allison's stories will serve as a powerful reminder of the devastation meth and other drugs can bring and also as a call to action. In her stories we find examples of local triumph.
"Life Interrupted" will be shared as well in an extended format December 1st, at Summit High School in a public viewing with lots of local high schoolers on hand. Here's congrats Allison, on the work you've done, and a thank you to the men and women who are sharing their stories with us.
Comments
I am a meth addict
I got my son taken from me tonight due to the power and results of being addicted to meth. I am cleaning my house tonight to be prepared for D.H.S. in the morning. I am 30 years old and have been addicted to mostly meth since I was 14 years old I was pregnant with my son more than 4 years ago and was clean up until almost a year ago, i successfully stayed clean for more than 3 years, first time ever in my life.... any way the police and D.H.S. came to night and removed my son from me due to the effects of my use. Thank the lord they placed him with my mom and her blessing..her boyfriend.. I am tremendously angry at myself for sooooo many different reasons and torn to millions of pieces as well. i turned on the T.V. for the first time in months and it had your storey on drugs. I know Cara and Zayne very well and am so happy to see that they both are doing well... I have so much more to say and why this happened to me again... I have lost 2 daughters earlier in life because of my selffish addiction...I am just thinking how much it meant and important it was for me to see your storey that it was the first thing I watched in months...
Thank you,
Lyndsey Kuper
Locally From Bend OR,
meth
In 2008, I lost a daughter to an accident(she had two children) and 22 days later I lost a son to meth addiction. He was 17 yrs. old. We spent many years in the system, he being locked up, rehabs, ect. At the time, I felt alone and frustrated with little support. Although, looking back, I should have asked for more help. As a result, my relationship with his father failed, and I left. Several months later after being "clean" for 1 1/2 yrs. he started using again, got into a high-speed chase with the cops. There was a shoot-out and the official cause of death was self-inflicted gun shot to the head. After five years of heartache, prayers, fights, rehabs, courts, ect., we lost him to meth. To this day, I have more questions than answers. He was a straight A student with a future and despite all our best efforts, we lost. I salute those who win and wonder what it takes to beat this evil. Not a day goes by that I don't question myself, the system and what could have helped him.