DENVER, COLO. November 26, 2014– The second national Meth Awareness Week will be observed Sunday, November 30 through Saturday, December 6th in an effort to combat the abuse and use of methamphetamine (meth). Coordinated by The Meth Project, a large-scale, teen-targeted prevention program of the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids which aims to significantly reduce meth use through public service messaging, public policy and community outreach, the week will kick off with a digital media campaign and social content which asks teens to get involved and take action.
With participation from state partners including Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, the awareness campaign will launch with various local events and enhanced digital media support. Locally the Colorado Meth Project will be commissioning a new community art mural in Greeley to raise awareness about the dangers of meth. Student participants from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weld County, including a local member of the Colorado Meth Project’s Teen Action Council are helping design and execute the mural alongside Moreno’s General Store in downtown Greeley, 322 13th Street. During the course of the week, the community can witness the mural being created at the following times:
Ninety percent of Colorado teens now see great risk in trying Meth according to the findings from the 2013 Colorado Teen Drug Use and Attitude Assessment commissioned by The Partnership at Drugfree.org, the Colorado Meth Project and Rise Above Colorado that surveyed 614 Colorado teens. According to the 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, meth usage among middle and high school students declined by 57 percent in Denver.
While we have contributed to positive changes in teen meth use in Colorado over the past few years, continued prevention of this devastating drug is extremely important, as meth is at its highest level of purity and availability and the cost is as low as ever,” explained Colorado Meth Project executive director, Kent MacLennan. “Meth Awareness Week is a great opportunity to engage with Coloradoans to take action to prevent teens and young adults from ever experimenting with meth.”
The Colorado Meth Project will be debuting a 30-second ad digitally throughout the state to capture people’s attention by highlighting the devastating effects meth can have users and their loved ones. In addition, the Colorado Meth Project will be sharing digital content on their social media platforms that will aim to engage, educate and encourage teens to take action against meth use.
“Meth is powerfully addictive and can cause extreme damage to a young person’s body and brain,” explained Steve Pasierb, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids President and CEO. “Meth Awareness Week provides a pinnacle opportunity to educate parents and members of our community about the health risks of methamphetamine use and help prevent teens and young adults from ever using this devastating drug.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, meth is one of the greatest drug threats to the nation. The agency recently reported that the drug is at its highest levels of availability and purity; and at its lowest cost since 2005 because of increased levels of meth imported from Mexico, and growing rates of small-scale domestic production. RAND estimates meth costs the country between $16.2 and $48.3 billion per year in treatment, healthcare and foster care services, as well as the costs of crime and lost productivity associated with the drug.
Meth Awareness Week is being made possible in Colorado through support from Firstbank. To learn more about Meth Awareness Week, visit The Meth Project on Facebook at facebook.com/methproject and Tumblr at tumblr.com/blog/methproject, and follow the conversation online at #MethAwarenessWeek.
About the Colorado Meth Project
The Colorado Meth Project is a non-profit organization that implements large-scale, research-based campaigns and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state. Central to its integrated campaigns is MethProject.org—a definitive source for information about meth for teens. The Colorado Meth Project is affiliated with The Partnership at Drugfree.org, a national non-profit organization working to help families solve the problem of teen substance abuse. For more information, visit Colorado.MethProject.org.
About The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
Ninety percent of addictions start in the teenage years. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is dedicated to solving the problem of teen substance abuse. Together with experts in science, parenting and communications, the nonprofit translates research on teen behavior, addiction and treatment into useful and effective resources for both individuals and communities. Working toward a vision where all young people will be able to live their lives free of drug and alcohol abuse, The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids works with parents and other influencers to help them prevent and get help for drug and alcohol abuse by teens and young adults. The organization depends on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector and is thankful to SAG-AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity. If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, please call The Parents Toll-Free Helpline at 1-855-DRUGFREE.
# # #
Media Contact:
Kent MacLennan
Rise Above Colorado
(720) 425-4200
kent@riseabovecolorado.org