White Plains Academy will Sponsor David Parnell to Speak on Meth at Avery Trace Middle on November 17.

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Story Published: Nov 2, 2011 at 3:12 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2011 at 3:12 PM CDT

Concerned about the meth problem in Putnam County and surrounding areas, Chris “Bubba” Winningham, a teacher at White Plains Academy, searched the internet for some means to address the problem. 

Winningham says, “…I came across a very real look into the dangers of meth. I came across a story called, ”Facing the Dragon” by a man named David Parnell.”
Mr. Parnell has an incredible story about meth use and the dangers of meth. To make the story short, he tried to commit suicide and blew his face to pieces, but lived. He had reconstructive surgery to repair his face and now goes around to schools all across the United States to talk about meth.

Winningham contacted Parnell and invited him to come to Cookeville. On November 17th, Parnell will be at the auditorium at Avery Trace Middle School from 6-8PM. The entire community is invited and welcomed to come to hear Mr. Parnell speak.

In an article in USA TODAY entitled,  “Meth abuse at work continues to grow” by Stephanie Armour, we read this portion of the interview Ms. Armour conducted with Parnell about his suicide attempt:
"I was so strung out, there was a hard look in my eye," Parnell says. He began to grow paranoid, hearing voices and started carrying an assault rifle

“When his wife, Amy, told him she was going to leave, he asked her to lie down beside him. He grabbed the rifle and shot himself below the chin, blowing his nose off, ravaging his teeth and lips, and shattering bones in his face. Three days later, he woke up in the hospital. Amy told him she was pregnant with their seventh child. "I knew that baby would have a better start," he says.

It was the last time Parnell used meth. After more than a year spent recovering, he says, he was fired from his job, but today, he earns a living by telling his story in high schools, churches, drug courts and jails.”

The meeting is free of charge.
 

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