Agassi met with harsh criticism for past drug abuse

Tennis superstar Andre Agassi recently admitted to methamphetamine use in the late 90’s while his tennis career was in the tank. Agassi's first major championship came at Wimbledon in 1992, and he won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. But by late 1997, he dropped to No. 141 in the rankings, and he was playing in tennis' equivalent of the minor leagues.

According to his book “Open” 1997 was the year in which he began using meth. He failed a drug test administered by tennis officials and then lied about his drug abuse. He claimed accidental ingestion and the charges were dropped.

''If my story can help one person let alone millions of people who wake up in a life they didn't choose, wake up in a marriage they didn't want … if it can help a teenager about to step into the pitfalls I stepped into - then that's an easy price to pay if the price is some judgments, or some loss of reputation or some false image.''

The revelation that the tennis star was using drugs may shock some, but the drug use came at a time when Agassi’s career was in a slump. The drug turned an amazing sports star into a common drug addict. This should be a warning to all young people; “Stay away from drugs”.

Methamphetamines are called the Devil's drug or Hitler's revenge for good reason. While it is uncomfortable to face the evils of this drug, life for methamphetamine users and their families, is far more uncomfortable if the drug use does not stop.

Like it or not, families must deal with the hard core facts of methamphetamine abuse and the trail of devastation left behind if we are to prevent the coming of a new "Ice Age."

Narconon of Georgia provides drug education and treatment. Call Narconon if you or a loved one is facing drug addiction.  We can help, we are the new life program.