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‘I lost everything’ says woman jailed for meth
Published Friday, July 3, 2009
After experiencing her first high from methamphetamine a little more than a year ago, Brandi Lea Pert had no idea that a seemingly harmless experiment would eventually lead her to lose her home, her children and her academic future.
Pert, 34, from Darlington, Fla., was arrested in Covington County on Fri., June 5, and charged with second-degree manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. She has been incarcerated in the Covington County Jail since her arrest.
“I was very scared to try meth the first time, but my ex-husband convinced me every thing would be all right,” she said. “They say that you’re addicted the first time you try it, and I believe it.”
Pert said she was living with her ex-husband in their home in Darlington, Fla., when his cousin manufactured some meth and convinced her to try it.
“I felt like I had lots of energy, like I wanted to clean the entire house,” she said of her first drug-induced high. “It’s a happy feeling, not dizzy like being drunk or anything like that. It kind of felt like drinking a bunch of coffee or energy drinks, and then, when it wore off I just wanted more and more.”
Pert said she overdosed on meth several days later and spent two days in intensive care, but even that experience was not enough to overpower her chemical dependence on the drug.
“I had always been a real laid back person, but the drug made me hyper all the time,” she said. “I was constantly wanting to go and do things, get in the car and move around. I lost some weight, but not as much as some people do. It speeds up your metabolism, but there were also some times when I would go a week without eating anything.”
Pert said she divorced her ex-husband more than two years ago, only to move back in with him several months later. Her ex-husband worked during the day, while his cousin and other friends spent the day at her house getting high and selling the drug to other people.
“Me and my ex-husband, we used to own a paint-and-body shop in Tallahassee,” she said. “We had 25 acres of land that were paid for in Darlington, and we were in the process of building a house when all of this got started.”
Pert said her ex-husband eventually kicked her out of the house, and she joined with a new “group of friends” who were also drug users. She said her mother was so frustrated that she attempted to have Pert sent to a mental institution under the Baker Act.
“That’s how I ended up in Alabama,” she said. “I knew that if I got over the border, then Alabama couldn’t send me back to Florida, and Florida couldn’t come to get me.”
Pert lived with a new boyfriend, moving from trailer to trailer in southern Covington County, before Drug Task Force agents discovered her whereabouts on Wed., June 3.
“(The DTF) came to the place we were renting on Wednesday, and had a search warrant and found a bunch of drug-related stuff,” she said. “They asked us to come to the office on Friday to speak with them, and when we finished with the investigation, they arrested us on the spot.”
After Pert’s arrest, she found herself separated from her three children — an 11-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 20-month-old — who now live with her ex-husband in Darlington. She had also been accepted into a licensed nursing practitioner program at a Tallahassee, Fla., community college, but has lost that opportunity with the drug arrest on her record.
Pert said she has devoted herself to do everything she can to avoid meth in the future.
“I know I can (get clean),” she said. “I miss my children, and I don’t want to go to prison. Since I’ve been in prison, I haven’t felt any cravings, and I know I can stay away from it. I’ve never been arrested before, for anything, and this isn’t a very pleasant experience at all.”
DTF agent Sgt. Ray Dixon said every attempt is being made to get Pert into rehab and give her a chance to clear her name.
“She’s a first-time offender, and she agreed to do this interview, so those are two positives on her behalf,” he said. “We’re trying to get her a court-appointed attorney and give her a chance to plea so she can go into the rehab and probation.”
Dixon also said that Pert may be accepted into the Covington County drug court, which would require an extensive year-long rehabilitation program. If Pert were to remain clean for a year, she could have the felony charge removed from her record and possibly be able to try nursing school again.
“That would be great, I’d feel blessed if I had that chance,” she said.
Pert explained that growing up, she had heard all of the usual “say no to drugs” rhetoric in school, but the propaganda was no match from the peer pressure she felt from her ex-husband.
Dixon added that he believes it is important for young people to be informed about not only the immediate effects of drugs, but also the long-term problems.
“We raise our kids and we constantly tell them, ‘drugs are bad,’ ‘drugs are bad,’ ‘drugs are bad’,” Dixon said. “But, like Brandi said, when you finally get the nerve to try it, it might actually feel awesome. And the first time you try it, it might be awesome; but then a year later, you’re sleeping on a cold floor in a single-wide trailer with an extension cord to someone else’s house to give you power. And then, you end up here (in jail).
“That’s the message we need to teach our kids; it’s the long-term effects that hurt the most.”
Pert said she hoped her story would help prevent any other people from making the same mistakes she has made.
“I’d like to get ahold of someone who’s thinking about taking the drugs, and just shake them and knock some sense into them,” she said. “It will make you lose everything you have. I think I would definitely tell my story to anyone who would listen, maybe talk to schools and say, ‘Don’t let this happen to you.’
“That’s what I talked to my mom about, recently. (My mother) said, ‘Maybe you can turn this experience around and turn it into something positive.’ I pray that I can.”
Comments
Posted by sue_cotter (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Brandi! I hope and pray that you will stay clean and be able to influence others through your experience. Take it one day at a time and seek the Lord for his strength.
Posted by chrisflorida (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am floored the Andalusia News would publish such an article without giving the ex-husband an opportunity to defend himself. This article is a TRUE example of an addict- it is ALWAYS someones elses fault other than the addicts! There is tons more to this story, try printing a WHOLE story other than one side from now on please....
Posted by floridagirl (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Justin Schuver you need to get your facts straight. You should not be able to publish anything for the Andalusia Star ever again. This crap that Brandi has feed you is exactly that crap! The ex-husband left her years ago and was granted custody of there 2 children at the time, he allowed her back into their lives and they had there 3rd child during that time. It takes alot in the State of Florida to have your children taken from their Mother. So she lost her kids along time ago and guess what she did drugs long before a year ago.
Posted by gpert (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the basic skills that a journalist is supposed to have is the ability to check the facts and report the truth. I find it appalling that Justin Shuver failed to uphold this basic ethical standard. And I have to ask the question, why did he believe everything he was being told from a known drug abuser? I do feel that Mr. Shuver should never be allowed to write another article for this newspaper as he has failed every person who reads this article in the paper or online.
As a person who knows this situation very well, I'd like to let him know the real FACTS! Ms Pert's ex-husband did not have to pressure her into trying meth. She made the decision on her own. Ms. Pert chose to hang out with meth addicts and allowed them to visit her home frequently. Ms. Pert lost her older children in an earlier court decision at the time of the dissolution of the marriage. Ms. Pert lost her children again when she chose to move in with a known meth manufacturer and has not seen two of her children for over 70 days. Ms. Pert did not lose her home and her land because she doesn't own any. And those are just a few of the glaring inaccuracies contained in this article.
For me, the real problem is why Ms. Pert is still in jail when the two men that she was caught with are free and walking the streets. It's a curious thing that the known meth manufacturer she lived with had his bond reduced and was set free from the Covington County jail last week. And guess what he was doing in just a few hours. He was seen gathering materials to manufacture meth. Ms. Pert should have her bond reduced so that she can attend rehab. If there is one truth that comes from this article, it is that Ms. Pert does seem to see the error of her ways.
Meth is one of the most tragic circumstances facing our area. The problem is that law enforcement do not want to do anything about it. It's time that citizens demand something be done about meth manufacturers and for me their place is in jail.
Posted by countryangelheart (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe the writer for this article didn't get in contact with Brandi's ex-husband Greg, Why didn't you? I know them personally and she told 3/4 of the truth. But do you read where it said when "Her ex-husband worked during the day, while his cousin and other friends spent the day at her house getting high and selling the drug to other people." What does that tell you? That his cousin and other friends are the ones..duh wake up! Greg was the one trying to get her help where their kids would have their mom again. He is a upright and honest person if you want to know the "TRUTH" ask him he tells NO LIES! That way he has nothing to remember but the "God's Honest Truth" Now as for the writer of this article you need to give him a chance to tell his side of the story. I hear from him everyday and when he told me about this..I was shocked to say the least, then I read this and I'm floored that the writer didn't take time to contact him for "his" side. Who would you believe the "crack head" or the man who works his butt off to provide for his family. If he was on it he wouldn't be working he would be selling....duh! He's a "workalcoholic" he will work circles around you without blinking. He's my bestfriend and cousin I have known him all my life and you couldn't ask for a better friend. I was needing someone to come help me the other night when I hit a deer, he was eating supper and dropped it came straight to me. I can go on and on but I don't think you have enough space for me to tell you what's what. The "TRUTH" about it all is that yes, Drugs are all around us and if you don't say "NO" and walk away it's a temptation. Peer pressure is bad, the guys that get the women & girls on it break up homes, relationships, etc just to have them as their sex slaves, it makes them feel "GOD LIKE" but in my eyes it makes them look like "stupid idiots" that is putting it mild. Brandi, had it all in my eyes, a wonderful husband that worked his hind end off to give her a brand new car, brand new house, 3 kids, anything she wanted. She didn't have to work he did it for her. I'll end it by saying..maybe she has woke up, I hope so, those kids need their mom.
Posted by kristieroberts (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First, I want to commend my cousin Brandi for having the knowledge to know this was wrong and having the strength to fight this addiction and get better. If anyone had actually researched the consequences for using meth, they will SEE that it can change the way you ACT, the way you THINK and the way you FEEL! Because of this, it is known as one of the strongest drugs out there with a very low rehabilitation rate. The fact that Brandi wants to get better and wants to change her life is a huge step and with the help for "GOD" above she WILL be able to overcome this. Now anyone out there that wants to throw stones or "name call"(crackhead) needs to sweep around your own backdoor. If you think your perfect, by all means think it, but the bible will tell you different!! As someone who knows the situation very well myself, you cannot let drug users (cousins, friends, etc) around your home and your family and expect that any good will come out of it. Instead of pointing the blame to either party and bashing who was a better person (they are all to blame), we need to support and pray for a full recovery. Anyone that knows Brandi, knows that she is a wonderful mother and a wonderful, caring person. Things like this can happen to anyone, anywhere and NONE OF US are immune to it. Shame on the Andalusia News for allowing this journalist to exploit these children by publishing their names. And shame on whoever allowed the other two men to be set free to continue to poison this community while Brandi is left in jail facing all the charges! Everyone in that community needs to pull together and try to help fight the "drug" problem so your brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, children, etc. can hopefully not have to be affected by this problem.
Kristie Roberts
Brandi's cousin!
Posted by kristieroberts (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And by the way, countryangelheart, you say how her ex-husband worked his "hind" end off for her, I don't know where you come from but taking care of 3 small kids all day isn't exactly a vacation!
Posted by countryangelheart (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ms. Kristie, I do know that taking care of children is a "full time" job. I don't want to get into anything with you about what's right or wrong. The problem is the "DRUGS" plain and simple.
Posted by Freddie (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am finding that not only is meth a problem but apparently there is a real problem with the criminal justice system in Andulsia if the two men Brandi was caught with are free and walking the streets. Why would their bond be reduced and her bond remain the same? Curious thing about that. Hmm did they speak untruths maybe? Just a thought.
Posted by britt98 (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think that all the people who are talking bad about Brandi (my mother) should be minding your own buissness. Name calling is very mean and you should know that what goes around comes around. So therefor you cant call people names and expect to get away with it. After all shes not even out here to defend herself. I dont appreciate anybody talking bad about my mother because she is a great mother and a wonderfull person. And she is hoping to put her life back together with the help of "GOD" and her family.
Posted by countryangelheart (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't like "name calling" either. It's a shame that we have to have "hard feelings" to be able to help someone. I have problems as anyone else in this world.Thank God that mine isn't "drugs" legal or illegal. We all have ways of coping with stress of everyday living and some just does drugs to be with the crowd. I have been in that position many times, but I'm thankful that I turned them down, they ragged me for not doing what they was doing. Brandi has the same opportunities as the rest of us in life, she just made the wrong ones that put her where she is today. Now is the time for HER to make the RIGHT decisions. She has been to the bottom so there is no place to go but UP!
Posted by gpert (anonymous) on July 7, 2009 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Freddie we would all like to know why the main one is out. Maybe we could get Ray Dixon to answer that question.
Posted by agray12345 (anonymous) on July 8, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The stones that are being thrown at Brandi are not necessary. "Do not cast stones at glass houses" is the old saying! GROW UP! We ALL NEED to pull together and help Brandi help herself. No one is getting anywhere with name calling and who did what! Brandi, I KNOW, is and ALWAYS has been a very LOVING, CARING AND ATTENTIVE Mother until drugs took her life over. She is off drugs now and is willing to get help. We will stand behind her and help her. It is going to be a long road to travel but with Brandi, having God on her side and her family, she will make it. Her children NEED her more than anyone! Please do not make this any harder than it already is. We ALL need to help Brandi as much as we can. Brandi NEEDS support now, NOT degrading, mind boggling negative things in her life. Support and Prayers are the beneficiary elements that WILL turn Brandi's life around. GOD BLESS HER AND HER CHILDREN!!!!
Posted by jackdup (anonymous) on July 15, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow - you guys are nuts
Posted by trojanman (anonymous) on July 20, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
first of all not only Brandi needs help with drugs but Greg does too,i don't think there is anyone to blame but themselves.My only problem with this is the kids and they are innocent with two parents that i know for a fact they both have been using all types of drugs and been very irresponsible for a while.Yes Greg is a worker when he wants to be and i know brandi has tried to raise her kids the best she knows but they have had a lot of bumps in the road and this situation is the bottom.I just hope she is sincere of her recovery,time will tell.
Posted by gpert (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 4:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
trojanman you dont know what you are talking about,if you do come confront me to my face.
Posted by trojanman (anonymous) on August 3, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
there aint too much good coming out of defuniak springs but white trash
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