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Letter to the Editor—Kami Chappell
I’d like to thank the Cow Creek Tribe for their role in making Dr. Jack Stumps presentation on meth a success.
I was held captive with his history of meth, videos of users and statistics of Douglas County. I applaud his work (in and out of the emergency room) and his patience with his patients.
I was encouraged with his effort to share the sometimes deadly effects on not only the users, but the whole community. However, when he came to a certain point in his closing speech where he said “I’m not impressed about anyone unless they’ve got at least two years of recovery” my jaw dropped. I’m sure he had to know at least one third of his audience was recovering addicts, as I am.
I currently am seven months clean and sober from at least a 10-year meth addiction. I’ve raised three beautiful and healthy kids by myself. I also took care of my stepfather with Alzheimer’s, only to have him die two years later a cruel and miserable death.
I’ve endured, in my childhood alone, enough to predict a lot worse of a future than I’ve made for myself. I can honestly say without a doubt quitting or even deciding to quit meth is by far the hardest thing I have ever done.
Because I live in Douglas County, “Meth Capital of Oregon” it is an everyday struggle. Rehabs are few and far between, where as meth is everywhere. I don’t yet have two years of recovery, but I’m very proud of myself and anyone else who tries to quit.
I guess I wish he would have explained further what he really meant, or maybe he did?
Kami Chappell
Roseburg
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