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."