Meth Blitz: A Prisoner’s Story

Meth Methamphetamine If you think think crystal meth is just a street problem...think again. A Prisoner's Story

by Rose Ann Haven

Published: Mon, October 27, 2008 - 7:12 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, November 14, 2008 - 3:06 pm CST

If you think think crystal meth is just a street problem...think again.
Almost instantly the drug has the power to transform a productive citizen into a paranoid fiend.
The WKRG News 5 Crime Solutions Task Force's Rose Ann Haven recently traveled to The Tutwiler Prison for women in Wetumpka for an inside look into how meth can tear apart a family.

The ads warning of the dangers of meth are everywhere. Crystal Meth is the biggest drug threat in Alabama surpassing crack cocaine.

"Don't do it, You can't..you can't just do it once", says Stephanie Quiggins.

Rose Ann Haven asked Quiggins, "Do you still crave meth?. Quiggins responded, "I think about it But, then I remember where it took me, and that stops that craving instantly".

Convicted of cooking and selling meth in 2006, Quiggins, a mother of three, is serving five years in Tutwiler Women's Prison in Wetumpka, Alabama.

"And then, the fact that I've let my parents down, because they didn't raise me like this. They didn't raise me to do what I've done. They're wonderful, they're the best, and they've always worked for a living, and now I'm here", says Quiggins.

Stephanie says she began using meth to lose weight, but then she had to hit it everyday, all day.

Quiggins says, "I couldn't get out of the bed unless I had some meth to do because of the energy. I just felt like I couldn't go without it".

Quiggins has been incarcerated twenty nine months total, twenty one of those have been at Tutwiler. The hardest thing about serving time is not being with her three children.

"Brittany will be graduated high school before I get of here, and that bothers me. Chris will be almost eleven, and Kayla will be almost ten. It bothers me everyday."

Even though Quiggins will never get back the time she's lost with her children, she is grateful.

"I think that if I wouldn't have gotten incarcerated, I wouldn't have stopped because I didn't know how to stop. I think that my kids...they were around it. I'm not happy to admit that...but, they were and...I probably wouldn't even be alive today, or maybe they wouldn't be. I think about that all the time.

Quiggins says she's made a spiritual connection in prison, received drug counseling, and learned life skills to help her make better choices, "I know now what I was doing them and to myself but I didn't know then..I couldn't. I was powerless, I couldn't, I couldn't see.".

Quiggins is counting on what she's learned on the inside to help her succeed on the outside. As powerful as meth is, Quiggins believes her desire to be with her children is stronger.

"My life is on the outside of that fence, and I'm going home to it. That's how I get through my days here at this prison is Brittany, Chris, and Kayla just knowing that they're there, and I've got my whole life waiting on me."

But, the odds are stacked against her.
Right now, nearly two-thousand Alabamians are trying to break their meth addiction. Ninety two percent of them will never get clean.
One reason? Meth is everywhere. It's so easy to get your hands on the stuff.

For more information on drug abuse, contact the Drug Education Council in Mobile.
http://www.drugeducation.org/

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I_MISS_MY_SISTER Says:

Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 4:31 pm

THIS STORY IS ABOUT MY SISTER STEPHANIE, WE REALLY MISS HER ALOT AND ARE THANKFUL THAT GOD FINALLY STEPPED IN AND GAVE HER THE HELP THAT SHE HAS NEEDED FOR A VERY LONG TIME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES THE POWER OF THE LORD TO HELP US REALIZE THE HARMFUL THINGS THAT WE DO TO OURSELVES AND TO OTHERS. I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT MY SISTER IS A GOOD PERSON WHO GOT MIXED UP WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE. I LOVE YOU STEPH AND WE PRAY EVERY NIGHT FOR YOU TO COME HOME TO YOUR KIDS, AND US LOVE YA!!!!!

imamiracle Says:

Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 8:12 pm

My husband and my children’s father was murdered because of meth, and we will never be same. He had everything a person could want, and it was not enough compared to the hold of this mind-altering drug We miss him everyday, and I just hope one person could benefit from his untimely and horrible death. I wish this drug was never thought of.

momof3 Says:

Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 4:05 pm

This story is on my sister, it hit our family hard, but we are strong and it’s not something you plan….everything went down hill fast. She lost so much weight all once, she was so tiny…. and now she gained alot being locked up, however has lost some back on her own..she is in good spirits. She has had two public defenders that dropped her cause within a year and both now work for the DA’s office…So Did she get screwed or did they really do their jobs….What do ya think?

Mom2AngelBaby Says:

Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 7:59 am

My prayers go out to everyone who has this addiction. I can’t understand why people choose these types of things to keep them going. But, being that I’ve never been addicted to any drug I wouldn’t ever understand it. And yes it will definetly tear a family apart as my own is going down this road as we speak!

sassygrits Says:

Tue, Oct 28, 2008 at 7:39 am

Live with this on a day to day basis…watching the life of someone I love very much be consumed by meth.
I came out of the late sixties/early seventies…during the height of free love, sex, drugs and rock-n-roll…and was headed deep into that lifestyle, until a life altering event happened to me that drew me away from it before I couldn’t get out…
I am grateful for that everyday…but I watched a lot of friends I loved NOT make it thru…and I’ve gotta tell you…I think meth addiction is a million times harder to overcome.
It is an EVIL drug.
The main thing I want to make sure everyone keeps in mind is to hate the drug…hate the behavior, but always remember to love the person….tough love if you have too…but love none the less.
If you don’t they have nouthing on this side to come back too.