Meagan Jasper came from a normal, middle-class family that instilled positive values in her, but an encounter with crystal methamphetamines in Grade 9 sent her and her family on a 15-year rollercoaster.
The family noticed a change in Meagan after Christmas, which was strange since the family had no underlying addictions and her parents were happily married, mom Tracy said. She and her husband thought their daughter was attempting to fit in and be cool.
“When we started noticing these things, I never, never thought it was drugs … because I had no history of it,” Tracy said during an online talk about crystal meth on Sept. 23 that Square One Community Inc. hosted in conjunction with the Moose Jaw Crystal Meth Strategy Committee.
The Jaspers took their daughter for support, but aside from saying Meagan was rebellious, the counsellors refused to say anything else because she was 14 and that information was private.
Tracy and her husband continued to support Meagan and involved her in family activities, even though her troubles grew. This included police charging her with possession of drugs as a minor and later as an adult.
“Every time she was charged, (she said), ‘Oh, I’m going to change, I’m going to do better. I promise’ — manipulating,” said Tracy. “So you pay for a lawyer. I remember the last time when I paid for a lawyer — my whole paycheque and more went to a lawyer. That was just the down payment; that wasn’t the full bill.”
Meagan moved in with her Aunt Roxy and promised to change, but eventually fled despite the support she was receiving. This devastated Roxy since they were close, but Tracy told her to move on since Meagan was now an adult.
“If you want to help yourself, you gotta change, right?” Tracy said. “As a parent, you just pray every day that they’re safe.”
It would sometimes be weeks and months before Tracy heard from Meagan, and when her daughter called, it was to ask for $30 or $40. Tracy provided the money since she wanted to remain close, but admitted that this was enabling and something families should avoid.
One day after months with little contact, Meagan called and said she wanted to come home. Tracy agreed and told her daughter — who was already in Regina— to meet her at Costco.
Tracy was surprised when Meagan sat down in the car since “she was the skinniest rail” with dried-out hair. She attempted to speak with her daughter, but the girl kept falling asleep. However, she would be startled awake whenever the car hit a bump.
It was the July 1 weekend and Meagan promised her parents that she would turn her life around and turn herself in to police. However, that never happened, and she remained in their basement for long periods. Her parents eventually kicked her out.
“It was gut-wrenching. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” said Tracy. “And I was the one that kicked her out … I live with that as a parent. But sometimes you have to pay tough love and gotta look out for other people in your home.
“I never stopped loving her,” she added emotionally.
The Jaspers received a call from the police months later saying officers had arrested Meagan. This was a turning point, said Tracy, since Meagan went to jail and drug court, which saved her life. She also began attending treatment centres with programming.
Meagan was angry with her mother while in jail since Tracy refused to take her calls when she called. This was part of Tracy’s plan to stop enabling her daughter. However, Roxy remained in contact with Meagan and attended her niece’s court dates.
“I loved her so dearly. I couldn’t give up on her,” said Roxy.
Meagan eventually cleaned up her life and is now, at age 32, four years sober. She appeared in the recent documentary, "Stop Mething Around."
Supporting family members in recovery is important to their success, said Tracy, although she encouraged people not to enable their loved ones by providing money or other relief measures. However, a hug can show them that people still care.
“I’m very proud of Meagan,” added Tracy. “We call each other every day. We’re like best friends. It is so different.”
