A recovering methamphetamine addict who uses his story of attempted suicide as a one-man anti-drug campaign will kick off the Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals annual conference Wednesday in Natchez.

The conference runs through Friday at the Natchez Convention Center.

David Parnell of Dresden, Tenn., will speak at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday about his own near-death experience to educate students about the dangers of drugs.

The conference will include presentations from mental health and drug treatment professionals, law enforcement, corrections officers and judges.

Stephanie Covington of La Jolla, Calif., will give the conference keynote address Thursday. The clinician and author has more than 25 years of experience in the design and implementation of treatment services for women.