YOUNG ARTISTS USE PAINT BRUSHES TO BATTLE METH TAKES ARTISTIC TURN IN
PAINT THE STATE

Five years ago the Meth Project launched a prevention campaign in
Montana against this devastating drug, with in-your-face ads and
billboards and testimonials from recovering addicts.

The campaign is scary, with images of young meth-users baring
picked-at skin and rotten teeth in nightmarish situations. There were
some critics, especially about the timeslots during which graphic
public service announcements aired on television, but the results of
the effort are inspiring and impressive.

The research-based prevention effort focuses on preventing youth from
ever trying the highly addictive and destructive drug. A year ago a
survey showed that meth use among Montana teens dropped 63 percent
since 2005, when the campaign started.

In addition to the billboards and television campaign, the Montana
Meth Project caught attention the summer of 2006 when youth were
invited to display art work, publicly, warning of the dangers of meth.

Teens from all 56 Montana counties participated in the competition,
displaying meth warnings on 250 restaurant menus, 114 store windows,
78 T-shirts, 47 vehicles, 45 hay bales, 21 garbage cans, two anhydrous
ammonia tanks, four video productions, two tepees, two cows, one
painted sheep, one outhouse, one television commercial and one lake.
More than $300,000 in prize money was awarded to the artists, youth 13
to 18 years old.

Hundreds of the warnings paired with horrific images, like a tiny limp
hand on a fence billboard in rural Lincoln County, appeared throughout
the state to educate Montanans and visitors about the dangers of
methamphetamines.

Some are still displayed, but most are gone.

Now the next generation of Montana's youth has the chance to
participate in this impactful part of the campaign.

The deadline to register for Paint the State 2010 is tonight at
midnight, or actually 11:59 p.m.

The deadline for final submissions, including photos of completed
artwork, a written description, and location details is midnight July
18.

Pacific Steel & Recycling, based in Great Falls and Locati Architects,
based in Bozeman, will join Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana,
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the Gilhousen Family Foundation, Martel
Construction, and Cloud Peak Energy as sponsors of the contest.

The statewide winner will receive $5,000, plus a special prize package
donated by Paint the State judge and Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament. The
package will include a limited-edition Pearl Jam concert tour poster
autographed by all of the members of the band, a Pearl Jam
Philadelphia 2009 CD box set, a Pearl Jam vs. Ames Brothers poster
book, as well as Pearl Jam t-shirts and other band
memorabilia.

Prizes also will be awarded in each of Montana's 56 counties, with
$1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third.

After registering, contestants must design and create their public art
piece so it can be displayed from July 19 through at least July 23 for
judging. Teens can register online at www.PaintTheStateMontana.org.

Let your creativity rule and help join the battle to ultimately
eradicate meth in Montana.