State unveils "Meth Destroys" PSA campaign

Knoxville (WVLT) -

Despite the decrease our state has seen when it comes to meth use, the drug is still a problem in our state.

Now, a new public service campaign is aimed at catching the attention of potential users and scare them away from taking that first hit.

Volunteer TV's Stacy McCloud brings us a closer look at some of the PSAs expected to hit airwaves soon, and if local officers believe the message will hit home here in East Tennessee.

!I would never do meth because I saw what happened to my mom.!

Real stories of people right here in Tennessee, who's lives have been forever changed by the highly addictive drug methamphetamine, are getting ready to hit airwaves.

!My son was 6 months old when he was taken from me. He was 2 when he came home.!

Ten PSA's will paint a picture officials hope will drive home a serious message, that !Meth Destroys!.

!I was hooked immediately. No if ands or buts about it.!

Ed Kingsbury is a narcotics officer for KPD. He spends many days speaking to children, telling stories just like these.

he says he has no doubt the PSA's will make viewers, think twice.

!If they can show stuff like that to these kids and what it does to families or tears and breaks down the individual it will definitely change some people around,! says Kingsbury.

!I remember this beautiful girl that was my bunkmate in jail. Her name was Melanie. She thought she would use meth just one more time. She had four little girls. Melanie used meth one more time and she never came back. Her heart exploded and she died. You ain't use meth just one time, or it might be your time to die.!

A new message that local meth free advocates say could never be aired too much.

!If we keep it in the forefront and keep meth out there and keep educating people over and over, because people are always coming up with new recipes and ways to hide it, that it won't die down. We gotta keep that message out there,! says Kingsbury.

Officials aren't sure when the PSA's will air.

They also say they'll put up billboards, hand out brochures, and other materials.

For more information on the Meth Destroys campaign check out www.methfreetn.org.