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Tough love Parents want meth-addicted daughter arrested for her own protection A photograph of a beautiful young woman in an advertisement on Page 6A of Thursday's Mail Tribune was eye-catching, but the accompanying words spoke volumes about her parents' fear and agony: Comment By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Dec. 3, 2010 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 3, 2010 at 2:35 AM By Paris Achen Posted Dec. 3, 2010 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 3, 2010 at 2:35 AM » Social News A photograph of a beautiful young woman in an advertisement on Page 6A of Thursday's Mail Tribune was eye-catching, but the accompanying words spoke volumes about her parents' fear and agony: Killing herself with Meth. Missing Virginia Gros Eagle Point residents Gene and Debby Gros, Virginia's parents, purchased the paid advertisement for about $500 after their daughter disappeared in November, the latest development in what they say is a 10-year ordeal caused by Virginia's methamphetamine addiction. Virginia didn't show up or call her parents' house on her 25th birthday, Nov. 21. By Thanksgiving, there still was no word. "We didn't feel good about it, and it was her birthday," Gene said Thursday. "It was the first time we hadn't had contact with her on her birthday." "That was unusual enough that I thought we should get aggressive to find out what was going on," he said. In addition to purchasing the ad, the couple printed posters with the same photo and message and posted them at convenience stores and motels around Jackson County. "Please help us find our daughter Virginia before she kills herself," they wrote. "If you know where she is, you may be her only hope." By late Thursday, Gene said he'd received more than 10 calls from well-wishers and people wanting to help, but still had no idea where Virginia was. She is wanted by police for violating her probation on felony offenses, including two counts of felony methamphetamine possession, felony identity theft and felony first-degree theft, according to Jackson County court records. "The reason she has four felonies is she's stealing to support her habit," Gene said. "They (meth addicts) will do anything. She has even stolen from her grandmother." Virginia, who attended Eagle Point High School but did not graduate, became involved in methamphetamine at age 15, her parents said. The highly addictive drug affects the central nervous system, artificially stimulating the pleasure center in the brain and then plunges the user into depression once the drug has worn off. "We've been going through this for 10 years," Gene said. "We've never given up." She's been through rehabilitation four times, he said. The first time, she stayed clean for nearly four years. Her father said he wants her to go to jail. "She's been through rehabilitation so much she could teach it," he said. "In jail, at least we know she's safe. I would like her to go to jail for a couple of years. I'm sure she'd be off meth long enough to clear her system and think about what she'll do when she gets out." But so far, the solution hasn't been that easy. Each time she's arrested, she's usually released within hours or days due to overcrowding, her parents say. Her longest stay in jail was two months in August and September. "Law enforcement works hard to get people like her in jail, and then, they're bounced right out," Debby said. "This has been going on over the summer." One week, Virginia was in jail three times. That jail time is among the rare moments when her parents feel at peace, Debby said. "That brief time offers us confidence because we know where she is," she said. Jail, however, isn't a long-term solution to the underlying reasons Virginia turns to meth, Debby said, and her mother believes those must be addressed before she can kick her habit. "There is no place for people on meth to be," she said. "They're the first ones to be released, and they're not well enough to be out there." Reach reporter Paris Achen at 541-776-4459 or e-mail [email protected]. By Paris Achen MailTribune.com By Paris Achen Posted Dec. 3, 2010 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 3, 2010 at 2:35 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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