Pubdate: Mon, 24 Sep 2007 Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) Copyright: 2007 The Arizona Republic Contact: http://www.arizonarepublic.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) ARIZONA METH PROJECT IS WORKING Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley and Navajo Nation first lady Vikki Shirley Co-chairs of the Arizona Meth Project Last week, we kicked off the second phase of the Arizona Meth Project's media campaign. This is a milestone because Arizona is the second state in the United States that has implemented this mass-media youth prevention and education campaign featuring an evolution of gritty ads that graphically depict the horrors of methamphetamine use and anchored by the memorable "Not Even Once" slogan. We started this campaign last April, following the great success achieved by the Montana Meth Project, an effort that is now in its second year. Since Montana launched its effort, workplace drug-testing data shows that meth use has declined 70 percent and meth-related crime has declined 53 percent. We are hoping for similar positive results here in Arizona, but we have a tough road ahead of us. The 2006 Arizona Youth Survey reported that more than 4 percent of Arizona youths have used meth at least once, twice the national average and the reason for creating the Arizona Meth Project. A separate youth survey conducted by the meth project this spring showed that teens and young adults are not convinced of the dangers of meth use. In fact, many responded that meth had beneficial uses, like weight loss. This same survey revealed that one in six young adults has tried the drug, one in 25 teens has tried the drug, and one in four teens says friends would not give him or her a hard time for trying meth. With these types of numbers, it is no surprise that in Arizona 65 percent of child-abuse cases and 75 percent of property- and violent-crime cases are linked to meth. Rural counties are suffering more than urban areas in Arizona, and some of our state's Native American communities are experiencing serious problems. For example, the 2006 Arizona Youth Survey found that 10.1 percent of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders in Navajo County have used meth at least once. This number is higher than any other county in the state. Since its launch, the Arizona Meth Project has been well-received. Recently, we unveiled the "Not Even Once Youth Pledge," a statewide grass-roots manifestation of the prevention message. This effort captured names and personal commentary from young people across Arizona who committed themselves to never try meth even once. The symbolic signing of the pledge was most importantly a public and private acknowledgement of the meth problem in our community, highlighting more than 10,000 participants statewide. The youth comments written by pledge participants included poignant observations and personal experience. One young person wrote, "I have a baby brother that's a crystal-meth baby. His mother took crystal meth. I will never take drugs." Another young girl, whose very young age is evident by her penmanship and spelling, writes, "Meth is verey bad for you body and it can mean deth to you." Such honest perspective and major response from young people reaffirms that Phase 2 of the Arizona Meth Project is a much-needed prevention effort. The meth project public-awareness campaign was launched with $5.3 million in contributions from 10 Arizona counties, some private dollars and the Arizona Attorney General's Office. Continuation of the campaign beyond the end of the year will depend on additional financial support from both the public and private sectors. To keep on track, Phase 3 ads are scheduled to air in the spring of 2008. Solving Arizona's methamphetamine problem will require a strong commitment to a comprehensive approach that combines law enforcement, prevention, education, treatment and support from the private sector. The Arizona Meth Project wishes to acknowledge the support of the many anti-meth coalitions across the state, the Arizona Meth Project's advisory board members and the local leaders who are responsive to the Meth problem in our state. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek