Jim Cox, a twenty-year veteran of the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia, knows what it’s like to be out on the front lines fighting crime.

For as long as he can remember, Cox wanted to be in law enforcement. He was part of the first round of agencies that the Partnership for a Drug-Free America approached to launch Meth360, a multi-disciplinary community outreach program designed to enhance community efforts to deal with the impact of methamphetamine and raise awareness about the dangers of the drug.

The Partnership sat down with Cox, and asked him a few questions about the program, why meth is a danger and also delves into why he really gets up in the morning:

Q&A

Partnership (P): Good Morning, Jim. We’re turning the interrogation lights on you today, and are planning on asking some touch questions. You ready?

Jim (J): Ask away…

(P): So, how did you first hear about Meth360 and what was your first impression?

(J): My captain (Captain David Vice) told me he was sending my squad to a methamphetamine training class. Honestly, we thought we could do it better. (laughs) But then we realized that our training curriculum was designed for Law Enforcement Officers only. Meth 360 combines law enforcement, treatment and prevention professionals, and what we like most about Meth360 is it targets the public who we serve and protect.

(P): What would you like to tell other people about the program?

(J): This program is extremely informative and covers all aspects of methamphetamine use and abuse and the dangers of meth labs. It’s delivers comprehensive information about every side of the issue, and quite honestly, I wish this program was mandatory everywhere. It could quite possibly save lives, and our goal is to have it reach enough people across the country to make a significant impact.

(P): What is meth and why is meth such a danger?

(J): Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant drug, and users can develop a tolerance very quickly, needing larger amounts to get high. It’s absolutely devastating for communities. Meth affects children the worst, because they are often abandoned or abused, because meth completely controls and destroys their parents’ lives.

(P): Now that we’ve looked deeper into why Meth360 is so important, we also wanted to know why you really get up every the morning?

(J): Well, that’s an easy one… besides the fact that I want to help the people in my community, I also want to be there for my four-year-old twin daughters. My family is most important in my life, and I want to make sure that they are protected.

(P): Well, Jim, thanks for all of that insight. We really appreciate your time and effort. In closing, what inspirational quote gets you through the day?

(J): (laughs) I just keep telling myself, “Easy Tiger..” and go on with my day.

(P): Now we’ve heard it all. Signing off…