A man described as "the best meth cooker in Hixson" has been sent to Drug Court.
Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman said it is "the last stop" for 45-year-old Ricky Lynn Murr before he is sent away to serve an eight-year prison sentence.
Witnesses said Murr earlier went through Teen Challenge, CADAS and county community correction, but could not get off his meth addiction.
Sherry Bradford of county community correction said Murr "is always very honest about whether he has used drugs." She said on his last visit he said he was going to test positive after using meth and Xanex over the weekend. She said he did, indeed, have a very high meth level.
She said he had a reputation as "the best meth cooker in Hixson."
Murr told the judge he thinks he can turn his life around with long-time structure.
He has worked 18 years as a tree trimmer, but said he wants to get into the restaurant business. He has been cooking at the jail during his most recent arrest.
Murr spent 11 months at the workhouse in 2007 after drug convictions.
He said he began using drugs when he was 18 and was introduced to meth when he was 40. The father of five said, "I have lost my wife and my daughters over it."
Judge Steelman called him "a poster child for where this road leads you."
Elaine Kelly said she was willing to accept him into Drug Court, which provides a structured treatment program and regular appearances before Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern.