Idaho sheriff deals with son's meth addiction

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Rick Layher has been working drug cases for decades and knows well how methamphetamine can tear a family apart.
"The parents that I've talked to, they're just pulling their hair out about it and asking 'What do we do?' No other drug has affected families like this," said Layher, who was confronted with the problem in his own home this year.
Layher's son, John R. Layher, 27, was arrested Nov. 17 for felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.
The sheriff turned his son in to Idaho State Police after he found a couple of meth pipes in the basement of his house, where John had been living. Investigators searched the house and seized the evidence.
"I truly feel that turning him in, I did the right thing for him," Layher said. "One way or another, he's going to get some help ... To me, this was his last chance."
His son spent almost five days in jail.
"I was happy the longer my son sat in jail. His brain was starting to get clear," Layher said.
John Layher declined to be interviewed for this story. He was due in court Friday, but the preliminary hearing was rescheduled for January. The Elmore County Prosecutor's Office turned the case over to the Ada County Prosecutor to avoid a conflict of interest.
Sheriff Layher, who attended his eldest daughter's graduation from Boise State University Friday morning, said his family has been through a lot in the past month, but he's feeling optimistic about his son's future.
"I see light now ... I've seen a big difference in his attitude," said Layher, who wants to see his son get treatment for drug addiction.
He believes his son began using drugs in his early 20s, but had been clean until about a year ago.
"You see them going good for a couple months, six months, even eight months, then all of the sudden, it's like the rug's taken out from under you," Layher said. "He had gotten a pretty good job and had been clean for a long time, then he started using again."
Layher said meth addicts become completely absorbed in themselves, withdrawing from family and staying out all night.
"You can't really get into a rational conversation with them. No matter what it is, they're right," Layher said. "When they're on that stuff, they don't care about their kids, their parents, their grandparents. They don't care about them things until their brain starts clearing up."
Layher said meth is no bigger problem in Mountain Home than it is anywhere else in the state, but it is a major problem.
"I wouldn't wish this on anybody," said Layher, thankful for the support he's received from the community. "A lot of people have sent cards and said they're praying for us. That does help. I'm thankful to God for that."
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Information from: Idaho Statesman, http://www.idahostatesman.com