Sunday, March 27, 2011

Former meth addict aims at inspiring courage to help abused children

Speaking in Buffalo, David Parnell asked for courage to "make the call" and prevent child abuse by parents addicted to meth.
By Ed DuBois
      The graphic photos displayed during David Parnell's presentation in Buffalo last Friday evening, March 18 were meant to inspire courage.
      After seeing some of the terrible consequences of making and using meth, maybe several people in the audience will be so appalled, they will have the courage to call the authorities if they ever suspect a meth lab is being operated in the neighborhood.  If they see children suffering from abuse or neglect, maybe they will act.
      The suffering of children is most upsetting for Parnell.  In fact, he paused and was chocked up with emotion when talking about two specific children who died as a result of abuse related to meth addiction.
      He said he conducts hundreds of speeches, and he can usually avoid getting hit with emotion by keeping his mind on his goal, to inspire action.
      But last Friday, the deaths of two children were too much for him.  Sadness overcame him for a minute or two.
      "If someone had made a call, these children would be alive today," he said.
      One of the children was heard screaming, but no one called.  One was locked in a closet and starved to death.
      Parnell knows what meth can do.  He began using it with his father.  He thought he could control it, but it eventually controlled him.
      At his lowest point, he thought his family would be better off without him.  He took a gun and shot off half his face.  He said he felt the pain because the meth kept him awake.
      He nearly died, but he survived his suicide attempt.  He underwent 30 surgeries, and more are planned.  His face is still disfigured, but it looks much better than it did after getting out of the hospital.  He said he will never get the sight back in his right eye.  A year passed before anyone could understand him when he spoke.
      "The way I look might convince people not to use meth," he stated.
      "I am so embarrassed and ashamed of the way I treated my wife and others," he added.
      He pleads with people to get help if they are addicted and are struggling with temper.
      Parnell added, "Suicide is not the solution.  You never know what God has planned for you."
      God's plan for Parnell was laid out on the stage last Friday.
      Wright County MEADA (Meth Education and Drug Awareness) invited Parnell to speak in the Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center.  He recently co-authored his autobiography, "Facing the Dragon," with local author, Amy Hammond Hagberg.  He had his book available for sale at the event.
      He also spoke to students at the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Schools on Friday morning and conducted a presentation in the afternoon at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park.
      A former meth dealer, husband, father of seven, and suicide survivor from Tennessee, Parnell now devotes his life traveling to high schools and communities warning about the dangers of methamphetamine.
      Parnell told his story in Buffalo once before in March 2005 as a guest of MEADA.  He began his presentation last Friday by talking about the dangerous chemicals used to make meth, such as anhydrous ammonia.
      He said meth slowly eats you up.  It's a poison.  Users' teeth often rot because of it.
      Parnell managed to avoid severe tooth decay because he became obsessed with brushing his teeth.  He brushed seven to nine times a day, he said.
      The body can't metabolize the meth chemicals, and they come out through the skin, he also said.
      In Tennessee, which is number-one in meth labs, child abuse has gone up 500 percent in 15 years, he said.
      "Innocent people around us suffer," he commented.
      In one case, an addicted parent thought it was more important to make meth than to pick up his child from a bleach spill.
      If you step in and "make the call" to help prevent child abuse, the meth addict will eventually thank you, Parnell stated.
      He told of a baby born addicted to meth.
      "I hope to see little Bobby in the next life," he said about the baby, and then he paused as he was overcome with sadness.
      He told of a school system in New Mexico that has started a program to help feed children in families affected by meth addiction.  Food is hidden in children's backpacks so they can feed their little brothers and sisters at home.
      Drug task force members who raid meth houses are called "Angels in Black" by Parnell.
      "I wish they had busted my dad.  He would be alive today," Parnell commented.  "He could not stop."
      He feels shame about his own addiction and not being there for his kids.
      "They remember Mom and Dad always fighting," he said.
      He once threatened to kill her, and she called the police.  But he went back to using later.
      He once tried to hang himself.  He said meth is a stimulant ... "until depression sets in."
      His sister found him after his unsuccessful hanging attempt.  The rope had snapped.
      "God saved my life that day," he said.
      Parnell learned that meth robs a person of the ability to feel love and compassion from others.
      Getting off meth is difficult, but he is so thankful he is off it now.
      The body will heal itself, but it takes time, he said.
      "Hang on until you get over the hump.  You will feel better than you ever felt in your life," he tells addicts.
      Now that Parnell is back with his family, he says, "God has given me back more than I will ever deserve."
      After his presentation, a few questions were taken from the audience.  Wright County Attorney Tom Kelly said he has seen improvement regarding meth over the past few years.  Parnell said the problem has grown worse in Tennessee.
      He added that Minnesota has more programs addressing meth than any other state.
      "You guys work together and get after it and educate people about meth," he said.  "You don't see that in other states."
      You can learn more by contacting MEADA at 763-682-7713 or go to www.meada.org .  To learn more about Parnell, go to his website, www.facingthedragon.org .  He invites you to visit Amy Hammond Hagberg's website as well, AmyHagberg.com.


1 comment:

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