The McDowell Family: May 2008

May is the nationally recognized month for foster care. In Utah, one of the biggest problems and why so many children end up in foster care is because of meth. This last Saturday I was able to attend an awesome conference on meth and its affects on the brain and on family. I was so impressed with the conference that I wanted to share just a tiny bit of what I learned in recognition of foster care month.
It has been said that Utah has a severe meth problem, but they corrected us and said, "Utah has a meth epedemic....it is much more serioius than a problem". We are the third highest meth using state in the US, following Hawaii and California. Utah's surrounding states report that they have 20-25 meth related seizures a year, while Utah reports 260+ a year.
Last month alone, 30 kids were put into foster care from Logan for meth related reasons only. Logan doesn't even come close to having that many foster parents. If Logan is putting that many kids in FC for meth each month, just imagine the numbers from Ogden and SLC.
Most meth users in Utah are female and of the female meth users 47% are raising children. We have a billboard here in Ogden that says, "A common name for meth users in Utah: Mommy."
Of the addicts that go into recovery, 1/3 will get clean. Another 1/3 will get clean and relapes. The rest never make it. Meth takes a very long time to get off because it is so potent and stays in your system for a very long time. If you do a "meth run", it'll keep you high for hours, sometimes days. In comparision to Cocaine, which you have to keep taking every 30 minutes to maintain your high. So, that means, that for hours, sometimes days the children are neglected. (even newborn babies!) Once the high is over, a lot of meth users will go into a "meth coma", which can knock them out for days. That is why meth is causing *SEVERE* neglect among Utah's children.
We watched an awesome documentary that was made here in Utah by a teenage girl, who's mom was on meth. It was called "Mother Superior". It made very clear that meth happens in all walks of life, including the middle class. This family lived in a *BEAUTIFUL* home and in a really great area. They were the typical "Utah family".
Many of the meth users say that for about the first 6 months it makes you feel like supermom. You have so much energy and you can multi task, clean your house amazingly, attend PTA and all of your children's activities...you are the ultimate super, soccer mom! Then you crash.
They said Utah is a very niave state and they really wanted to make the point that meth is affecting the middle class in Utah. Many women are using it without their husband's or families knowledge. They use "just a tiny bit" to give them energy and to loose weight. Then, they get addicted. They wanted us to know, that these women live in nice homes, attend church, go to work, are involved with their kids...and the list goes on. It is not just happening to lower class. It is happening to all walks of life.
There is a nationally recognized researcher that has been working in this feild for over 20 years. He is based here in Utah, but goes across the nation to give presentations. (He gave a presentation at the conference.) He said that he has been to other states to speak with *drug addicts*. In some of the states, when he brings up the issue of meth, hands fly into the air and he is asked, "What is meth?" And yet, every 3-5 houses in Utah has a meth user.
Why Utah? Why women? That is what so many experts are trying to understand. They wanted to present us with a theory and to do so, they asked a question. The question was, "What does this say about our desire for perfection, within our Utah culture?" They went on to say that Utah, as a whole, has a bad habit of believing, "If you don't see it, it doesn't happen." or "If we don't talk about it, it isn't happening." It's time to face reality.
Utah is in a major epedemic! The ones suffering most are the children. They are being locked in closets for days, while their parents use. Newborns are laying in their cribs, starving and screaming for days. Little children are being left at strangers homes. Then when mom "comes to", sometimes a week later, she has to try and back track and figure out where she's left her child. Children as young as 2 and 3 are responsible for finding and making their own meals. The list goes on and on. The stories I've heard are heart wrenching! The pictures I've seen are disgusting. I am amazed that so many of these children survive.
Help me promate meth awareness! Educate yourself! Educate others! A great website, specifically tailored for Utah is: endmethnow.org
also check out: http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/MethResources/faces/index.html

We'd like to tell you about our newest family member. Her name is Kamber Lee.

She is a beautiful, blonde haired, blue eyed three year old. Her birthday is January 2nd. She is very happy and seems to be content. She LOVES butterflies and when she was asked what she needed, by her caretaker, she replied, "I really need a butterfly."
Kamber loves to be a princess and has a new princess room, with a giant princess bed and all kinds of princess dress ups. Kamber's favorite things to do at home, so far, have been sidewalk chalk and riding bikes. She LOVES horses and she can't wait to be able to go for a ride!
Kamber is very kind and went to nursery for her first time today. She is learning how to say prayers and she already is very quick to fold her arms and close her eyes. She is very quick to learn and is settling in very well.
We are so excited to have Kamber in our family, while she is here. We hope we will be able to introduce her to you all soon! (We're just giving her a chance to settle in.) I know she'll be happy to meet aunties and cousins, though! For now, here are some pictures!!