"Every meth addict who has been addicted for a while has these shadow people in common," said Rio Communities resident Patty Gutierrez. "These shadow people are people the addict thinks are chasing them, the police, demons, anyone they've had problems with."

Gutierrez was personally affected when she lost her nephew, John Christopher, to meth's ravages. She and her sister, John's mother, Rosie Bacon, became members of Mothers Against Methamphetamine, commonly known as MAMA, and formed the chapter that encompasses Valencia County called "Tears of Strength and Support," TOSS for short.

The sisters formed the chapter after John's death to raise awareness about the drug in Valencia County.

"He had been clean for two years, but the damages from meth can reach far into the future," Gutierrez said. "He came down with flu-like symptoms. It appeared he had a simple flu, but he died. The autopsy revealed it was heart damage and lung damage from his meth use."

"There's not one ingredient in meth that you could eat a spoonful of and not die," said Stacey Johnston a member of TOSS.

"There's nothing about meth that is plant-based," said Gutierrez. "It's all chemical."

The five-year-old MAMA organization was founded by Dr. Mary Holley, who lost a brother to addiction. He began using methamphetamine at the age of 15 and died in July 2000.

After her brother's death, Holley, a physician by profession, began researching the drug to learn how it did so much damage to her brother's brain in such a short time. She formed MAMA to share what she learned.

The organization held its third annual conference, titled "Opening Doors to Recovery," in Albuquerque in April.

"It supported what we believe â"€ that our valley is filled with drugs, just like our nation is filled with drugs," Gutierrez said.

"All five New Mexico chapters of MAMA were represented," she said. "One of our best speakers was one of our own, District Attorney Lemuel Martinez. He talked about how much meth and other drugs are hitting this valley."

"Valencia County has the highest methamphetamine use per capita in the state," said Johnston, "and the highest drug-induced death rate."

Gutierrez said at the conference she learned why so many young people commit suicide.

"It's easier to stay on the drug than it is to get off," Gutierrez said.

The keynote speaker was Dave Parnell, a suicide survivor and victor over methamphetamine. He discussed his brush with death and subsequent recovery.

Other speakers included a suicide prevention specialist, a Biblically based substance abuse counselor, and specialists in motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and recent advances in medical treatment of addiction.

"Motivational interviewing is a type of therapy," said Linda Pena, the director of New Mexico MAMA. "It's an approach where you let your teenager talk about what they did, making them accountable rather than blaming and accusing them."

Gutierrez and Pena said the highlight of the conference was the discussion on codependency by Patrica McKeen, the CEO of A New Awakening Counseling Services in Albuquerque.

"It's not just the addict that deserves treatment, it's also the family that deserves help," McKeen said.

"Parents of adult children (addicts) often make emotionally-based decisions that compound the problems," she said. "Parents often think they can love their adult child out of addiction, but that only feeds the addiction. There has to be some very strict boundaries," said McKeen.

"Many parents are in denial about their child's addiction," Pena said. "The signs are all there. The teen stops paying their bills and the parent starts paying the bills for them to keep them out of trouble. I know. That's what I did, but that just enabled my daughter to keep using.

"You have to let your child eat out of the dumpster or live on the street; otherwise they don't have the incentive to get clean," Pena said. "If their life is comfortable and mom and dad are paying their bills and giving them money, there's no reason for the addict to want to get clean.

"You've got to face the dragon immediately or you're prolonging the inevitable: prison, institutions or death. You've got to practice tough love," she said.

The majority of the mothers Pena deals with have lost their children.

"They've died or are in prison," Pena said.

"There's not one 28-day in-house treatment center in Valencia County," said Johnston, "except through the penal system, and they're full."

It's very important for the addict to develop a support system and the tools to deal with their addiction before they are on out-patient status, Johnston explained. If they stay in the same environment, their chance for recovery success is greatly diminished.

"There are two awesome out-patient programs for addiction and mental health," Johnston said, "Partners in Wellness in Los Lunas, and A New Awakening in Albuquerque. New Awakenings has a counselor in Los Lunas who is available for home visits."

Additional topics included the impact of methamphetamine on the unborn child and early childhood development, the developing adolescent brain, and a program to help young children growing up in drug abusing homes called "Kids Like Me."

In 2008, a number of New Mexico organizations came together to make "Crystal Darkness," a documentary about meth addiction by New Mexico residents.

"We're not here to condemn," Gutierrez said. "We're here to help. Parents, children, wives, husbands; we're all family members."

TOSS meets the second Saturday of each month at the Faith Christian Chapel on Main Street in Belen.

For information about TOSS and MAMA contact Patty Gutierrez at 861-1405, Stacey Johnston at 261-2521 or Linda Pena at 319-9846 or visit the website at www.mamasite.net.