ADS SHOW HOW METH RAVAGES ITS USERS

National Campaign Opens in Louisville

Todd Zaborac knows what it's like to feel the euphoric surge of
invincibility that comes with a methamphetamine high.

He also knows the damage the drug can do -- it ruined his teeth, aged
him prematurely and landed him in trouble with the law.

Zaborac, 29, said he recognized himself in some of the images
unveiled yesterday in several television spots aimed at educating
people about the dangers of meth use.

The messages are part of a campaign sponsored by the Partnership for
a Drug-Free America and the Office of National Drug Control Policy
that was unveiled yesterday in Louisville.

TV, radio and print advertisements were running locally starting
yesterday -- part of a nationwide effort to combat methamphetamine
use. The ads are running in 23 cities, including Louisville, and will
appear when stations and newspapers have air time and space.

The ads "reminded me where I used to be," Zaborac said. "Anything
they can do to make people more aware of how meth addicts are is helping."

Zaborac has been clean since April, with the help of The Healing
Place, where a judge ordered him to get treatment after he was
arrested for selling and making meth. The campaign kickoff was held
there. "There's a lot of people who believe this is the worst drug
ever," said Mike Townsend of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

"We want to make sure methamphetamine doesn't find its way into
mainstream teenage culture," he said.

In June, Kentucky enacted a law that limits access to common allergy
and cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, which is used in the
manufacturing of meth.

Those medicines now are kept behind the pharmacy counter, and buyers
are required to show identification and sign a log when buying them.

Since the law took effect, Kentucky has seen an 80 percent drop in
the number of meth lab busts, said Teresa Barton of the Kentucky
Office of Drug Control Policy.

Through Nov. 15, 32 meth labs have been found in Jefferson County this year.

"We've had a small success in a small battle in what remains a very
big war," said Lt. Gov. Steve Pence. He told a group at The Healing
Place that the ads will be a valuable tool in raising awareness about
methamphetamine.