Posted on February 25, 2010

Crystal meth continues to be a growing problem throughout the country, but most law enforcement and treatment professionals do not expect to find the problem in their own home. In a news post, this is exactly what was reported.

A seasoned LA drug officer, Ron Clem, discovered a meth addict under his own roof – his 14 year-old daughter. When the law enforcement professional moved his family to Montana, he believed they would be safe from the drug problems that were second nature on the streets of LA.

Just two weeks into her experience at a new school, the teen met a girl on the school bus that happened to be a recruiter for a drug dealer and everything started to change. The teen became addicted to meth, spent her life’s savings and began to prostitute herself in order to support her habit.

One drug rehab spokesperson noted in the report that this is a sad story that happens to be occurring all over the country, even in small rural towns. Such experiences illustrate the truth of drug addiction and the reality that no one is untouchable.

Authorities continue to promote the importance of drug addiction education and why it is so vital for children and parents. These individuals must be taught the signs of drug abuse so they can easily identify problems early-on, if they happen to arise. Parents must become vigilant – even over-vigilant – in protecting their children from this problem that is plaguing the nation.

For Clem’s daughter, her life was saved because her father was able to recognize her problem. It did take her years to get clean, but now as a mother herself, she has a daughter to protect. She believes her experience has made her even more equipped to do so.