I just ran across this picture I took about a year ago in Quitman, TX, on Hwy 154. I was driving back from Sulphur Springs, TX, after working on a client’s network. As I drove by I glanced over and nearly had a wreck!
Whose briliant idea was it to come up with a “Meth Watch” program? Even more brilliant – those same people think putting a sign up is going to deter meth addicts?
After a little googling, it turns out that there is an official website for the program – all helped by Federal funding. Of course!
Interestingly enough the “Combat Meth Act” was part of the Patriot Act signed into law in 2005. This is the law that made it much more difficult to purchase cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine. You have to buy them behind the counter now and that is subject to limited quantities.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not for people using meth. Years ago I worked in McAlester, OK, and at least 60% of our employees abused meth among other things. No, I’m not exaggerating one bit. There were many times I had to bail out employees so we could keep production going. An employee that I dated for a few months (Jennifer) would drive me around and show me the houses where they were “cooking” – then we’d go out for dinner and a few drinks. She would walk right up to to many of the wealthy and powerful in the town and they would buy her drinks or dinner. These were many of the same people that I knew from business – pretty sad actually.
The communities around Quitman, TX, are just as bad though. I also worked around Alba, TX, and there were a lot of rural houses used as meth labs around the Lake Fork area.
I just find it hilarious that we have to have “meth watch” signs posted.
