Politics of Food: How Big Ag, Big Pharma Drove the Meth Epidemic
In 2004 an encounter with a methamphetamine addict enlightened me to the devastating impact the drug holds on those that use it. In reaction to a shaky personal relationship with a boyfriend, we co-signed a car loan for a family member to help her keep her job at an area retailer. She seemed to be inspired by the work for the national retail outlet, rising to a manager position and receiving a wage sufficient to keep her in an apartment. Early signs appeared that made us question the relationship -- more than one physical attack by her boyfriend, frequently moving to different apartments, loss of the good-paying job. One occurrence resulted in his breaking into our home in search for his girlfriend and their newborn baby. His threatening behavior caused my daughters to hide in the corner of the basement, while my wife talked him out of the house and waiting for police to arrive. Another early sign -- during attendance at a concert at Sandstone Ampitheatre in Kansas I remember him wal...