Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
20/20 Parenting. Recognizing and mitigating early vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Letters to Kerry
Stories of Victory, Struggle, Tragedy, & Workplace Concerns
October 22, 2006:
We have finally found the true author of this poem! See her letter following her poem. – K
Kerry, Here's the entire poem. I've made a change or two since the original version. ;-)
Ms. Crystal Meth
by Samantha Reynolds
If my 'glamorous' lifestyle is appealing to you. . .
And you want to try me because you've 'nothing to lose'. . .
Then, let me give you a bit of advice:
You are a fool. . . and you'd better think twice.
I destroy homes. I tear families apart.
I take your children~ And that's just the start.
I'm more valued than diamonds; more precious than gold.
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember; I'm easily found.
I live all around you. In school and in town.
I live with the rich. I live with the poor.
I live just down the road, and maybe next door.
I'm made in a lab, but not in one like you think.
I can be made under your kitchen sink.
Or in your child's closet, and even out in the woods.
If this scares you to death, it certainly should.
I have many names, but there's one you'll know best.
I'm sure you've heard of me. My name's Crystal Meth.
My power is awesome. Try me you'll see.
But if you do you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go.
But if you try me twice then I own your soul.
When I posses you you'll steal and lie.
You'll do what you have to just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit for my clandestine charms
Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in my arms.
You'll lie to your mother. You'll steal from your dad.
When you see their tears you must not feel sad.
Just forget your morals and how you were raised.
I'll be your conscious. I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from their parents. I take parents from kids.
I turn people from God. I separate friends.
I'll take everything from you; Even your good looks and your pride.
I'll be with you always---right there by your side.
You'll give up everything; Your family, your home
Your money, your friends. You'll be all alone.
I'll take and I'll take until you've no more to give.
When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned:
THIS IS NOT A GAME.
If I'm given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravage your body. I'll control your mind.
I'll own you completely. Your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you when your lying in bed....
And the voices you'll hear from inside your head....
The sweats, the shakes and the visions you'll see....
I want you to know: These are your gifts from me.
By then it's to late and you'll know in your heart
That you are now mine and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me. (They always do.)
Just remember; you came to me. Not I, to you.
You knew this would happen. How many times were you told?
But you challenged my power. You chose to be bold.
You could have said "No" and then walked away.
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
My power is awesome as I told you before.
I can take your mother and turn her into a whore.
Go ahead and curse me with every breath.
Just make your choice: Will it be life or meth?
You will take unknown paths on your journey through life.
Some will bring happiness. Some will bring strife.
But, my path is one you must not ever cross.
Although it's well trodden countless lives have been lost.
Now that you've met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.
I can show you more misery than words can tell~
Come, take my hand. Let me lead you to Hell.
Author's letter:
Your info regarding the author of the crystal meth poem is incorrect. I wrote the poem in 2000, and it was published in several local newspapers under my name. It IS copyrighted. Due to her young age, Miss Canaday [previously published source] may not realize she's committed a serious crime by claiming authorship.
I live in Oklahoma and I've witnessed first-hand what this terrible drug does to people. It's heartbreaking. I've never used meth, but I've seen what it does to families. I've seen the devastation and felt the pain those innocent kids were subjected to.
In my opinion, the reason so many people are addicted is because they don't realize how addictive it is BEFORE they try it. I've written to my state senator and governor asking WHY there aren't signs posted in our public schools warning kids how addictive and deadly meth truly is, but I never got a straight answer. They need to be warned BEFORE they try it, not AFTER they're already addicted.
I would very much like to have posters made, but I don't know where to start. If you have any ideas, I'd appreciate any advice you can offer.
Samantha Reynolds
I am so glad Samantha has contacted me about her poem and given permission to republish it in full. Her personal experiences and compassion have given her the insight to write with deep understanding and empathy not to mention great talent! Thank you Samantha.
Posters. This is an excellent idea. I have made some suggestions to Samantha on where to start and will consider how we could do this here in BC and elsewhere. – K
PS: Site where Samantha posted her poem Ms. Crystal Meth in 2000:
http://www.thestarlitecafe.com/poems/32/poem_291002718.html
PSS: For further verification of Samantha's original authorship and information on the others who have claimed authorship since 2000 see:
http://www.snopes.com/glurge/iammeth.asp
Samantha has also sent me an original issue of The Heavener Ledger, an Oklahoma newspaper in which "Ms.Crystal Meth" was published crediting herself as author: Volume 96, Number 38, Thursday, September 20, 2000.
