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Meth Awareness Week Kicks Off November 30

Friday, November 21, 2014

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Meth Awareness Week will be observed Sunday, November 30through Saturday, December 6 in an effort to combat the abuse and use of methamphetamine. 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.

"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, methamphetamine 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 lowest cost since 2005 because of increased levels of meth imported from Mexico, and growing rates of small-scale domestic production. RAND estimates methamphetamine 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.

The research-based program has had a profound effect, first in Montana, where teen meth use has dropped 63 percent and meth-related crime has declined by 62 percent. The success of the Montana Meth Project led to its adoption by five additional states that have seen similar results.

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 Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is dedicated to reducing teen substance abuse and supporting families impacted by addiction. We develop public education campaigns that drive awareness of teen substance abuse, and lead teen-targeted efforts that inspire young people to make positive decisions to stay healthy and avoid drugs and alcohol. On our website, drugfree.org, and through our toll-free helpline (1-855-DRUGFREE), we provide families with direct support and guidance to help them address teen substance abuse. Finally, we build healthy communities, advocating for great access to adolescent treatment and funding for youth prevention programs. As a national nonprofit, we depend on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and the public sector and are thankful to SAG-AFTRA and the advertising and media industries for their ongoing generosity.

SOURCE The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids