Long before Breaking Bad, Oregon’s Faces of Meth campaign horrified the world with grim evidence of the effects of methamphetamine – also known as crystal meth.

But an investigation by local newspaper The Oregonian found that some of the criminals whose mugshots were used to illustrate the horrifying effects of the drug have successfully turned their lives around.


Others are even pleased that their pictures are being used to warn potential victims about the effects of crystal meth, a powerful stimulant which can leave users awake for weeks.

Esther Allison, now 38, shocked the world with her gaunt, pallid appearance after just eight months using crystal meth – but is now a mother holding down a full-time job.



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Allison says, ‘Everybody knows your name here, but I’m trying to be a good mom. Now, I’m a manager at McDonald’s. That means something to me.’

Allison is working as a manager in McDonalds, dividing her time between her job and looking after her son.

Allison says, ‘Everybody knows your name here, but I’m trying to be a good mom. Now, I’m a manager at McDonald’s. That means something to me.’

Lagrew spent 17 years of his life in jail

Glen Lagrew, 49, has also turned his life around and is graduating from an adult education programme – after spending more than 17 years of his life in jail.

Lagrew now holds down two jobs and says, ‘I want to make amends to the city and be a role model so my son will make it out, too.’

James Hibbs, 32, is now married and looks after his mother – years after the shocking mugshots which showed the harm methamphetamine had done to his young body.

He says he is happy to campaign against the drug, which left him a homeless beggar in his teens.

Hibbs says, ‘Even though I’m dumb enough to do it, if I can convince anybody else from doing it, that makes me feel better. Not everybody has to be as dumb as I was.’

Hibbs says, ‘Even though I’m dumb enough to do it, if I can convince anybody else from doing it, that makes me feel better. Not everybody has to be as dumb as I was.’