Pubdate: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 Source: Sierra Vista Herald (AZ) Copyright: 2008 Sierra Vista Herald Contact: http://www.svherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1379 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) FIGHT METH BY TUNING IN Television Stations To Air Special Documentary On Tuesday SIERRA VISTA - Methamphetamine's toxic stranglehold on Arizona is being challenged. On Tuesday, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., television stations CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox 11 will simultaneously broadcast a shocking and in-depth documentary on the dangers of crystal meth. Television broadcasters, radio and print media across the state have endorsed the mission of "Crystal Darkness," pledging support. The program will be aired in English and Spanish. Both Univision and Telemundo will air the program at 5 p.m. All participating television and radio stations are donating the half-hour time period and are preempting their regularly scheduled programming in order to air the commercial-free documentary. The story is told through the powerful testimonies of young people who have gone through the dark and lonely depths of meth addiction. With heart-wrenching and raw honesty, they speak to their generation with an unforgettable message of warning. Recovering addicts like Darrell share their stories, "With meth, you actually become the drug. Not even a human being, basically. That's how I felt. I wasn't a human anymore. I was just something, something loud and disgusting, despicable. I could use a lot of words. That's what I became. It's really what I became." Amy Rex, director of Arizona Meth Project, has previewed the program. "It not only draws attention to this terrible problem but helps raise awareness about the negative impacts of meth on society overall. It's a very moving progam with a strong, compelling message." While the documentary targets youth and their families, its message extends to everyone involved with victims of meth addiction, said Karla Jensen, who serves as the fiscal agent contact for Cochise County Substance Abuse Coalition. Meth addiction has taken its toll on millions of Americans, destroying whole families and cutting across lives at every level, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, sex or age. Cochise County Substance Abuse Coalition is an all-volunteer group that educates communities about different forms of substance abuse, making meth addiction its primary focus. While the County Health Department serves as the coalition's fiscal agent, SouthEastern Arizona Behavioral Health Services coordinates its services. SEABHS organizes educational projects, holds converences and conducts programs on meth-related issues. During the airing of Crystal Darkness, dozens of professionally trained volunteers from Childhelp will be standing by to receive and refer phone calls from families and victims seeking help against the drug. The documentary not only aims to help victims of crystal meth, but hopes to create awareness about the deadly effects of the drug, thereby discouraging its use. Originally spearheaded by the crime-stopping, nonprofit organization Silent Witness, the Crystal Darkness campaign is a unique collaboration between local media, schools, law enforcement, recovery specialists, faith organizations and the business community. These organizations work together to help victims, create awareness and prevent drug use. Efforts to stem the use of crystal meth throughout Arizona won't end with the conclusion of the documentary on Tuesday. It is hoped that the program will bolster an ongoing collaboration between recovery organizations, law enforcement and other specialists. Community groups hope the warning about meth abuse takes hold. As one of the addicts in the documentary, Omar, puts it, "Don't do it, because you're going to lose everything. Sooner or later you're going to end up on the streets, jails and institutions, or like I almost ended up, six feet under." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin