New Hi-Tech Tool In The War on Meth

Alabama Mobile Mobile Sheriff unveils a new computer program to help show the devastating effects of methamphetamine.

by Bill Riales

Published: Fri, October 23, 2009 - 4:49 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, October 23, 2009 - 5:21 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran says his department is one of only twelve law enforcement agencies in the country to purchase the new software Face2Face. The program alters a photograph of a human face to show the devastating effects of methamphetamine. Mary Montgomery High School Student Hannah Cagle demonstrated how it works. When the image of her as a would be meth user was rendered, she described it as, "Freaky--it's really gross."

Sheriff Cochran says, "This shows what she would typically look like after using meth, in periods of 6 months to a year to three years. You can see the steady progression as it deteriorates the body."

The Sheriff invited leadership students and members of the student government from Mary Montgomery in Semmes to take part in the demonstration of the Face2Face program. He said he did so because he says Semmes and the surrounding area have seen an inordinate amount of meth activity in the past year.

Sheriff Cochran also said what's surprising about meth is that there is really no monetary incentive for users or makers. But it is a huge financial drain on his department.

"Most of the people that are manufacturing methamphetamine are usually addicted to it themselves and are sharing it with people who are getting the ingredients," he said.

The Sheriff also explained to the students that his department is waging a fierce battle against the drug because it's virtually the only drug that can be manufactured in someone's home with products bought at local stores.
"We thought with methampehtamine, its right here in our own backyards--so we can make a difference by trying to prevent it," he said.

The goal of the program is to appeal to younger people to prevent them from trying meth, by appealing to their vanity with these shocking visual images. These student leaders definitely get it, and their hope is to help others who might be at risk. Emily Naddeau, a senior at Mary Montgomery said, "If I did know someone who was going to do drugs I could definitely help them, talk them out of it or get them help,"

Sheriff Cochran plans to demonstrate the program at the Greater Gulf State Fair and make it available to other agencies who might want to use it.

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