Youngster makes fight against meth his mission

For Warren County Middle School student Jerry Forsythe, the fight against meth in McMinnville has become a personal mission.

This enterprising young man has even begun a project to create handmade T-shirts with anti-meth slogans, which he hopes to sell to raise funds to aid local law enforcement in its fight against this insidious drug.

Jerry says he chose this project because of his interest in law enforcement.

‘I’ve always been interested in the criminal justice field,’ Jerry said, ‘because my mom is a criminal justice major. I’ve always watched ‘Cops,’ ‘Lockup,’ ‘America’s Most Wanted,’ ’48 Hours,’ all those shows about criminal justice and law enforcement.’

Jerry says he is going to try to enlist the aid of local businesses in his quest, hoping those who are interested in supporting his efforts will donate T-shirts onto which he will hand-letter the slogans and then sell them as a fundraiser.

‘Then we can donate the money to the sheriff’s department to get Kevlar vests, dogs, whatever they need,’ Jerry said.

Jerry originally worked with digital designs, but decided to switch to hand-lettered shirts.

‘I first started paint doodling on the computer,’ he said, ‘but eventually got permanent markers to do the shirts.’

Jerry says he may utilize different methods and designs as he goes along.

Jerry spoke with Sheriff Jackie Matheny about his project, and says he was supportive.

‘He said it was a great idea,’ Jerry said, noting he chose the project because of the dangers meth presents to the community, particularly considering its addictive nature.

‘Meth is a killer,’ he said. ‘You do it once and you can’t get off it. And now they’ve got all these new kinds of meth, like crystal, and now they’ve got strawberry meth. They get it from strawberry NesQuick to target kids. And the bad thing about meth is it’s so easy to make,’ Forsythe added.

Prices haven’t been set yet, but Forsythe is thinking around $10 for the smaller shirts, and $15 to $20 for larger sizes.

‘The money will be going directly to the sheriff’s department,’ he said.

Jerry’s mom, Misty Watson, says she also supports his fight against meth.

‘I’m proud of him,’ Watson said. ‘He said, ‘Mom, can’t we do something? You see anti-smoking and anti-drinking, but don’t see much for meth or other drugs.’

‘Of course, meth is more addictive than any other drug there is,’ Jerry added. ‘Because all it takes is once.’

Jerry says he plans to try and sell shirts during the fair, if possible, and at the Dottie West Music Fest.

For more information, or to help out with donations of materials on Jerry’s anti-meth project, contact him or his mom at 474-8817.