Meth Epidemic: Recovering addict reflects on her past, her purpose

By Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

Tools

Recovering meth addict

Veronica Hetler, a recovering meth addict, says she hit rock bottom in April 2007 when her mobile home blew up while she was cooking meth. (Photo provided)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 30, 2009 at 3:01 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 10, 2009 at 6:10 PM EST

CASS COUNTY — From headlines in local newspapers, to more and more stories on newscasts, meth is becoming a growing problem across the area. It's destroying lives and devastating communities.

Once you try, you're hooked. That's how meth addicts describe this powerful drug.

WSBT spoke with a local woman who struggled with it for 10 years. For the first time, she's speaking out about her past; but she's also hoping to change the future for other addicts.

Veronica Hetler stares at an empty lot.

"I thank God that I'm not there anymore," she told WSBT News.

To Hetler, it's a symbol of a very dark past.

"You never think that you would go that far," she said.

Hetler struggled with her weight for years, trying every diet pill on the market, but nothing seemed to work. That is until she tried meth.

"I lost 22 pounds the first time I tried it, in one weekend," said Hetler.

And for 10 years the potent and addictive drug took control of her life. In April 2007, Hetler finally hit rock bottom. Her mobile home blew up while she was cooking meth.

"To hold those chemicals in your hands, and to actually blow it up and not die. It's just by the grace of God that I didn't die," said Hetler.

And Hetler believes she didn't die that day for a reason.

"I have a purpose. I have a life, a reason to live," said Hetler.

And a reason to help others. After finishing a year of treatment, Hetler got involved in a project through her church called Hope's Door.

"What our vision is, is to establish a home that gives women a place to transition," said Hope's Door Director Patricia Whitcomb.

"You don't know how the world really works. You don't know how to go about getting education or getting the help that you need or staying sober," said Hetler.

It's something Whitcomb has struggled with herself for 12 years.

"Veronica and I related so well because I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic as well," said Whitcomb.

But Whitcomb considers herself lucky, having a very supportive family.

"But I am very unusual to have that. And since finding my way back I have just committed myself to helping other women that are not as fortunate as I am," said Whitcomb.

She plans to open a home for Hope's Door this spring, ultimately giving women some tools to start over and stay clean.

"I think that's the way we're going to change the drug situation, is one person at a time," said Whitcomb.

Local police are working overtime to combat the meth epidemic. New labs are popping up almost every day in nearly every corner of our community.

Tuesday night on WSBT News at 11, we'll take a closer look at the problem and what police say is the number one reason the drug is getting out of control.

For more information about Hope's Door visit:
www.hopesdoor.dowagiaclighthouse.com.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 33.9
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
60 Minutes
8.00
The Amazing Race 15
9.00
Three Rivers
10.00
Cold Case
11.00
WSBT News
11.30
Paid Programming

Question of The Day

Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • YES
  • NO
Today's Mortgage Rates