Crystal Darkness Impacts State, Calls Pour In

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Joining a nationwide effort to curb meth use, TV stations statewide aired the documentary Crystal Darkness Tuesday night.

There were nearly 200 watch parties across Oklahoma, one took place in the metro at the Cox Center.

When Crystal Darkness hit the air, the calls began pouring into the Cox Center.

"It just gives you chills because you know you're playing a small part in bringing hope to a family desperate seeking answers," call center volunteer June Elkins-Baker said.

When the pictures flashed across the screen, a sense of reality set in for eighth-grader Darian Sanders.

"I didn't realize it was families," Sanders said. "I didn't realize how much of a problem it was in Oklahoma."

He found himself surrounded by Oklahomans learning the dangers of meth, but sitting in the crowd of the powerful and the young watching a particular panelist was someone whose known the dangers for quite a while.

Chris Ray said he went to school with Ellen Harwell and they used meth. Now, both individuals are about 10 years sober and Harwell is sharing her recovery story with others.

"She's made a miraculous recovery in my eyes," Ray said. "We were each others' recovery in a sense."

The documentary's widespread outreach was not what Ray had for his recovery, but he's glad it's something children have now and he hopes the message to never start using meth sticks with the youth.

Anyone who needs help or has questions can call 211 or visit the Crystal Darkness Web site.