Tulsa Mothers Take Stand Against Meth

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Meth use in Oklahoma is 42% above the national average.  Those who treat addicts say this drug is destroying the very fabric of our society.  Who better to mend our families and communities, than mothers? 

A group of moms are banding together against meth and just held their first meeting.

You've no doubt heard of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers or MADD, well, this group is Mothers Against Methamphetamine, or MAMA.  The Tulsa chapter refuses to let what they call an evil drug, ruin our society.

Pictures from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics website show how meth can change the look of a person over a 10 year period.  It's devastating to the body and the soul of the user as well as to those who love them.  Tara knows.  She was once a user.

"It sucks you up like a tornado and you don't even know where you are and it slowly destroys you and everyone around you," said Tara.

Meth is so prevalent because it's easy to make and unbelievably addictive.  People have horror stories of trying it one time and being hooked so badly, they lose everything, children, home, job and yet, nothing matters except their next hit.

Preston was there, but is now in recovery.

"When drugs had taken me so far down, destroyed my life, I had no pleasure, no fun without the drug, my whole life was planning how I was going to get high," said Preston.

The Mothers Against Methamphetamine group is a local chapter of a national organization and they are fighting back.  Every person at the meeting has been impacted by meth.  They educate groups, offer jail ministries and offer support to addicts and their loved ones.

"Those who have loved ones who are addicts or recovering, you have got to help yourself first," said Tara.

Tulsa MAMAs offers a support group which provides education and resources to help all effected by meth use. The group meets each first and third Thursdays of the month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Properties Plus Community Room at 7040 S. Yale.

The next meeting is July 17th. The group provides both secular and Christian materials that clearly explain the effects of meth on the mind and body. It seeks to educate the whole community including the addicted, their families, youth, adults, professionals and those at risk for serious infectious diseases due to meth use.

For more information, contact Tracy Marino at 814-5451 or check out their website.