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Amy,
In my 20 plus years as a cop, I have gone to many classes,
presentations, and saw many speakers. Last Thursday was the best
I have witnessed. I was out of the office on Friday, but when I
checked my messages today, the school has had several students
come in either asking for help, or asking for help for a friend
or family member. Our job is to get them they help they need and
we will do so. There area lot of people who ask why after a
tragedy, to which there often is no answer. God wanted David to
survive to do what he is doing. Thank you for what you and David
both do.
Investigator Bob Rhiel
Pierce County Sheriff’s Department
Ellsworth, WI
David –
I am Jeff Voss. I am doing student teaching at Eden Valley –
Watkins schools. I am a Phys. Ed teacher. I want to thank you
for coming and providing all the information you did and
explaining your life to all the students. There were a lot of
kids that came to me later in the day and told me how real and
important that was to hear that. They thought you did and
excellent job; they were very interested in you. I know you had
a huge impact on many students. I just wanted to that on and say
thank you. You are a very courageous man!
Thank you and take care,
Jeff
To – Amy Parnell
From – Charlotte Hoffmann, senior high school math teacher
Cedar Mountain students heard graphic details about
methamphetamine use and consequences thereof. This drug has been
working its way into our state and into younger demographics. We
were blessed to have David share first-hand how it turned him
into a “maniac” and stole time from his wife and children.
David’s message was a very vivid reminder for students that meth
is not a drug anyone can take casually. One use and a person is
addicted. His appearance and pictures in his presentation make
the tragedy very real for our students. He plainly spoke,
sharing how meth affected his life and how he made excuses that
he wasn’t one of the statistics. His message was one that every
high school student should hear.
David,
Your presentation at Monticello High School in Minnesota was
outstanding! I am a staff person here at the school. You’re very
down to earth, and that gets through to a lot of people. I liked
the detail that you put into your story; it kept your audience
very interested and gave them more to relate to. I wish you
continued success in your mission as it is a very important one!
Good luck with your healing.
Sincerely,
Julie LaRoque
Mr. Parnell,
I am a Special Education teacher at North Harrison Middle School
and attended your presentation on May 2nd. You did a fantastic
job and I really appreciate your dedication to helping these
kids. My students listened very intently to you and I hope with
all my heart your words will help them make good decisions.
Thank you so much for trying to make a difference and I wish you
well on your continued recovery.
God Bless,
Janene Nash
I have attended many lyceums in my 13 years as a high school
counselor, but I have never attended a more powerful lyceum than
David Parnell. He gave an excellent presentation to our students
in the morning and another presentation to our community in the
evening. Our student body was literally speechless after
listening to David’s gripping story of addiction and recovery.
Many of our students returned to hear his evening message as
well. Our community was also receptive to his unbelievable story
and is much more aware of what steps we can take to stop the
methamphetamine monster that is sweeping this country. I believe
every high school and community in America should have the
opportunity to listen to David’s passionate message.
Thank you very much for coming to our school and community,
Kirk Johnson
Hastings High School Counselor
Hello, I am writing from Wabasha, MN where I listened to one
of the most tragic drug tales I have ever heard. You are very
courageous to stand up in front of hundreds of people, admit
your mistakes, and do such a good job of showing that at the end
of a very dark tunnel, there is a light. Thank you so much for
sharing your story, people in this small river town are still
talking about your presentation and the effect it had on your
audience. Know that you do make a difference; students are
really thinking about not taking drugs because of the harmful
effects on not only themselves, but other people around them.
Thank you again for all of the insight and reality.
Denise Hawkins
David
As a school board member and parent whom attended your
presentation I must tell you that I am very appreciative of the
time you took to warn & educate our students and my son.
Although the kids asked very few questions, I heard many
comments in the hallway afterwards as I was leaving; I heard my
son at the supper table telling his dad about this man that came
to school today and what Meth had done to him. He talked about
it as soon as he got home from school that day…..seeing you as a
high school student, playing basketball….even DUNKING IT, really
made those students that are athletes see how easy your life can
change! You definitely made and impact and were heard!
I am thankful that you found salvation and that you are
rejoicing in your family. Spreading the word of what drugs can
do to you is absolutely what is needed. Thank God you survived
and you are right……there was a reason for that. Thanks so much
for taking the time to come to our little town in Eagle Bend, MN
Sharon
Dear David and Amy,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you both for sharing your
story with my children. My children attend school Sioux
Valley-Round Lake-Brewster High School. You spoke at their
school yesterday and they were very moved and shocked by your
presentation. We talked about it all night after I got home from
work. It was really wonderful to see how much information they
retained from your speech and what all they had learned.
I appreciate you both taking the time out of your lives to share
your story and help others learn from what you have been
through. As a parent we try to teach our children the dangers of
drug and alcohol use but we just never know if we are doing a
good job. Your sharing opened their eyes to the reality of drug
and alcohol use and what can happen, who is all affected, and
how your life will never be the same. Thank you so much for
sharing and making my children think about how drug and alcohol
use can wreck lives in the blink of an eye. I don’t know how to
express my appreciation. If you ever need anything, please feel
free to contact me and I will do all I can to help you all. You
are truly amazing people!
Thank you again,
Jennifer
In my position, I sometimes witness the heartache caused by
poor decisions. It has been an uplifting experience to meet Mr.
David Parnell. He has survived methamphetamine addiction and a
suicide attempt to emerge as an inspiration to those who might
make the choice to tempt fate by using this dangerous drug. I
appreciate his willing ness to work with the students in my
program as well as to share his story with all who care to
listen.
Joyce Hale, Director – Weakley County Alternative School
David Parnell’s presentation is a “must see” for anyone. A
life completely changed by the use of drugs and the resulting
trauma he faces daily, is a lesson that we all need to hear. His
story is one that could help our children make wiser choices
because they have heard from someone who did not – and have seen
for themselves what choosing the path of drugs can do.
Heart-wrenching and emotional are words that barely scratch the
surface of David’s story.
Denise Brazzell
Graves County High School Youth Service Center Coordinator
David,
Thank you for speaking at the recent Minnesota Crime Prevention
Conference in St. Cloud, MN. I am thankful for the opportunity
to hear the presentation.
God Bless and keep on speaking and making a difference!!
Jay Dulas, Deputy Sheriff
Waseca County Sheriff’s Office
I wanted to thank you for coming and speaking at the
Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, Wisconsin. As a mother of a
14 & 17 year-old I pray everyday they stay away from drugs. My
kids thought you were awesome! I wish you luck with your family
and God Bless you always…
Jana
Ellsworth, WI
I came home from David’s seminar just a couple hours ago.
Amazing!!! Thank you so much for being able to come to our
community. My kids wanted to go again even thought they had
already seen it at school. They picked up even more the second
time around. Very inspiring!!! Yes, God had a purpose when David
was spared. To go through so much for David and the entire
family!!! May all of you continue to save and inspire many more
people of all ages to help do something about this rapidly
growing problem. It is very scary to hear how fast and
widespread this drug abuse has become. It’s going to take many
more people like you to help the statistics go down…….. I pray
everyone can play some role (no matter how large or small) to
help bring this problem to an end.
Keep up the sensational work!!! Thanks again. Lisa
Dear David,
Just went to your seminar and wanted to say I was really moved
to hear about your experience with drugs. It’s no doubt that you
are making a difference. After listening to you I now have a
better understanding of what meth can do to someone. You are
living proof that people can change. Keep up the good work. God
Bless you and your family.
Randy
David Parnell,
I just wanted to say, you are an inspiration for a lot of kids.
Keep up the good work and God Bless you for all your efforts in
the fight against this enemy.
Sonia
Recovery Analyst
Dear David and Amy, I met you (David), when you spoke in
Valparaiso, Indiana. Your story is AMAZING and uplifting. I just
can’t contemplate what you were able to accomplish. I took my 13
year-old grandson to see you and he was “shell-shocked”. He is
in the school band, but that is no guarantee he won’t be exposed
to drugs. Your presentation made a big impact on him. Thank you
for what you are doing. I think you should write a book – it
would be a best seller. You have a lovely family, and Amy must
have patience and virtue of a saint. She certainly, also,
deserves credit for your turn around. You are both an
INSPIRATION. God Bless, Lena.
Hello.
I am a teacher at Mayfield High School where you recently gave
your talk on meth. I wanted to write to you and tell you how
much I personally appreciated what you had to say. I myself have
lost my only brother to suicide due to addiction a year and a
half ago. You really had an effect on me personally.
However, more importantly, I really think you had a strong
impact on the students. WE still are discussing it at different
moments in my classroom. I think you have enlightened us an
hopefully will make our students really consider the choices
they make.
Thanks again,
Brian
Amy,
Thank you for working with me to bring David to our campus. He
touched many of the people that attended the event and I have
heard that there would be interest if he was to return. Many
people have approached me and told me that they really liked the
fact that he was open and honest about his own problems and that
they were inspired by his strength. Many people also asked that
I express my gratitude to him for doing what he does and that it
is truly amazing. I would highly agree so on behalf of myself
and those in attendance I would like to say that David is an
amazing person and I am so glad that he was able to present to
us.
Thank you for this opportunity,
Caitlin Buck
PEAC Drug Awareness Team Executive
Creighton University, Omaha NE
I apologize for this being so late, but I do want you to know
how much I appreciate you for being our featured speaker at our
Life Or Meth seminar in November. You did an excellent job with
your presentation, and your participation in the seminar was so
helpful and encouraging. Our sincerest thanks for all your help
with this even, as well as your ongoing efforts in the fight
against drug abuse across our nation. If I can ever be of help
to you, please let me know.
Blessings,
Ron Phillips
First United Pentecostal Church
1810 N Dixie Ave.
Cookeville, TN 38501
David: Just wanted to take a few minutes to say a “huge”
thank you for your presentations to our classes at Willmar
Senior High School. I know from the responses of the students
you have touched their lives. I have heard nothing but positive
comments from the community, parents, and our students. Again,
“Thank You” from all of us. Have a blessed holiday season!
Neil Schendel
Assistant Principal
Willmar Senior High School
Dear David:
First of all I want to say “Thank You!” for sharing your story
with all of us last night in Detroit Lakes at the Holmes
Theatre. I attended with my 16 year old daughter. Initially I
was going to be attending last night’s seminar by myself, as my
daughter was scheduled to be out of town participating in a
school ski meet. She attends the high school in Detroit Lakes
and was able to attend your seminar yesterday at the school.
After the seminar at the school, she called me to make sure I
was going to be able to attend your seminar that evening and
asked if she could miss her ski meet and attend with me as well.
I was a bit surprised that she wanted to stay home from her meet
and attend the same seminar again that evening….but immensely
proud and very glad she did.
Meth is increasingly becoming a major problem all over the
country and affecting and ruining many lives. I thank God that
he had other plans for you. Your story is very open, honest, and
inspirational. Thank you for sharing it with others and making a
difference.
Blessings,
Lori
Detroit Lakes, MN
Dear David and Amy –
I heard you speak last night at St. Michael’s in Prior Lake. I
was there with my 13-year-old daughter. I have never been so
moved y a presentation in my life. I have also never written to
someone like this, but I just wanted you to know how deeply
touched I was by your story. The courage you have shown is truly
God Sent. I can tell you that everyone in the audience was
hanging on you every word.
On the way home my daughter and I kept saying “Wow, what an
amazing family!” My daughter agreed that seeing the pictures
spoke more than any words ever could. All their lives kids are
told to not do drugs and how bad it is for you. Every child they
are invincible and it won’t happen to them. Seeing your pictures
makes it “real” to them and I can guarantee they won’t ever
forget it. My daughter was most disturbed by the poor children
who get caught up in this nightmare (and the pictures of the
meth mouth!).
Debi
Dear David,
I am a State Trooper in Columbia, TN, and was blessed with the
opportunity to hear your story at Columbia State Community
College on Tuesday night. I have been in law enforcement for 15
years and have been in many, many hours of drug enforcement
training, but it was brought to a whole new level for me as I
listened to you the other night. I am a Christian and I truly
believe that God delivered you and your family from
methamphetamine. I also want to thank you for your emphasis on
the law enforcement officer’s response to meth users. I wish
that every young person in every community could hear your
story. I am going to bring my wife to one of your events and
look forward to her receiving the same blessing as I did. I am
sorry for the suffering that you and your family experienced
from the drugs and alcohol. It is obvious that God had and has a
plan for your life and you are being that witness to people all
over our world. Thank yuou for coming to my community and please
know that you and your family are in my family’s prayers
everyday. If I can ever help you in any way, please contact me.
Respectfully,
TROOPER CHRIS RAY
101 CREEKSIDE DRIVE
COLUMBIA, TN 38401
I wish I would of known that you were speaking at the Isle
school today. My son saw you today an stayed after to talk with
you. It is the first time in many years that he came home so
excited about meeting someone and hearing their story. He could
not wait to show me your website. After everything he’s been
through, it is nice to know that he can go to school and come
out excited about something. You made a lasting impression on
him. THANK YOU!
Lisa B.
Amy, I so wanted to meet you, but I’m glad I got to meet
David. He did a wonderful service to Mille Lacs County. He kept
7th and 8th graders quiet for two hours and we had to cut them
off with questions because school was ending. It was absolutely
tremendous. I’m sure you’ve heard this hundreds of times, but he
made quite an impact on people from the young to the old.
I just can’t say enough about how it affected people. He got
across in two hours what I’ve been trying to get across to
readers for five years. Thanks again
Dawn Slade – Reporter with The Mille Lacs County Times –
Minnesota
David and Amy,
I cannot thank you enough for sharing your horrible story with
strangers to save our lives. You truly are doing the work that
you were sent to do. I appreciate your honesty, acceptance of
your behavior, and your message of hope. Amy, thank you for
encouraging David to share his/your story. It can’t be easy
taking care of all 7 beautiful children while he is traveling
speaking to all of the schools and community members.
We appreciate your family’s history and your dedication to
stopping the terrible meth epidemic in our country.
Lynn
Deer River High School
just wanted to say thank you again, Mr. Parnell for
coming to Nicholas County High School. The students as well as
the teachers were very impressed with your presentation. I could
tell you had a great impact on our students and their thoughts
on meth. So again, thank you, it meant a lot.
Heather Alison
Nicholas County Schools
FRYSC
Amy:
I first saw your husband speak when I was a counselor in
Buffalo, Minnesota. Then, I took another position and contacted
you and had your husband speak at the facility I now work at
which is Transformation House last December of 06. I passed the
word and he has now spoken at the facility my daughter works at
which is Riverplace Counseling Center. I myself am a recovering
methamphetamine addict and know first hand what this drug is
capable of doing to the life and lives of the people.
The message that you and your husband carry across the miles is
such a blessing to all that have the privilege of hearing him. I
thank you for all that you do behind the scene in order for this
message to even be carried out to the public. God Bless You,
David, and the children.
Sincerely: Geraldine D. Carlton LADC
Good Morning David,
I would like to extend my thanks for your honesty and genuine
presentation. I was moved by your presentation, it was nice to
see so many of our community members of Akwesane attend at the
fire station to hear what methamphetamine does to a person. I am
employed in the Probation and Parole field. It is often I come
across individuals who have issues with drugs and alcohol.
Again thank you (Naiwen) for your seminar.
Much happiness is extended to you and your family.
Donna Delormier
Native Community Correction Officer
David,
I am an eighth grade teacher at Russell County Middle School and
had the privilege of hearing you speak this morning. I just
wanted to take a moment to let you know how wonderful, thought,
provoking, interesting, and important your presentation was for
the children who attend this school. Your honest description of
your life, with its ups and downs, and the vivid images you
displayed will certainly have a lasting affect on the lives of
these students. God certainly gave you a second chance at life
and you are most assuredly using it to the best of your
ability!!
With much admiration,
Jennifer
I’m a 17 year old girl from Monticello Minnesota and I also
am a recovering meth addict. I started when I was fifteen and
have been sober for 4 months. And David’s story helped me to get
to where I am today in life. I first saw bits and pieces of his
story on channel nine and a few days later I was sitting in
treatment for which I thought was going to be 30 days but it was
2 ½ months later until they finally let me out.
David’s story really helped me to realize I need to make a
change in my life and I am so very grateful to have met this
courageous man. Even after being in treatment I still didn’t
believe that meth was so dangerous until I heard David’s story
and the stories of other meth addicts. It’s unbelievable to hear
how strong and devoted his wife and kids were. The Lord has
blessed him and had a bigger plan for him than what he had for
himself and he is truly living proof of it. I can’t even put
into words what a great story and awesome man he is.
I now know how dangerous meth is and because of David I have got
more involved in fighting this demon we are all fighting with. I
also got to treatment centers and NA meetings and tell my story
hoping tat I can at least save one person. My story isn’t
anything compared to David’s but it better then just sitting
around and letting this drug steal the soul of many lives .
I hope and pray for him and his family as they continue on their
journey living with the horrible and terrifying consequences
because of his use of meth! Thank you so much David for sharing
your awesome but tragic story with my school! I know it wasn’t
easy and my gratitude speaks! Stay strong. May God continue
being with you and your wonderful family
Danielle Razink
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