Pubdate: Thu, 22 Dec 2005
Source: Phoenix New Times (AZ)
Copyright: 2005 New Times, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/640
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1851/a10.html?257778
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SPEED DEMON

I'm a 31-year-old, female closet tweaker. By first impression/appearance, I 
don't look or carry myself like I'm high on speed, though I've been smoking 
meth regularly for three years now.

I want to say thanks to New Times for bringing the series on meth to the 
attention of the public. These important articles have been honest, 
informative and sometimes disturbing in their truthfulness. These stories, 
especially "Ice, Ice, Baby" (Robert Nelson, November 24 
(http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/Issues/2005-11-24/news/feature.html)), have 
given me hope, because I know that -- though it's difficult to find in 
Arizona -- help is available.

When I do get out of my apartment, or isolation chamber, in Ahwatukee, it's 
almost always only to go re-up my drug supply.

The tweak world is a sub-society. We keep going while the rest of you are 
asleep. We are also the loneliest people. We all eventually build walls 
between ourselves and the rest of the world.

It is time the walls are broken down. All of us who suffer in darkness, 
shame, fear and isolation need to find relief. I'm almost certain there are 
many others who desperately wish someone understood the painful reality of 
meth addiction and how tweakers desperately wish to permanently stop doing 
this drug.

Your stories have shed light on what it's like inside the life of the glass 
dick. I imagine that the more the public hears the truth about 
methamphetamine addiction -- and the high degree to which Arizona is 
suffering -- the better the chances are for those of us caught in the 
vicious cycle of meth to come out of hiding and find help.

Name withheld by request
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom