ARIZONA METH PROJECT AIMS TO SPOTLIGHT DRUG'S HORRORS

The following is a conversation with Amy Rex, the new director of the
Arizona Meth Project.

1. Tell us about some of your ideas for the Arizona Meth Project.
Where do you hope to take the campaign and how do you measure success?

Our primary plan for the Arizona Meth Project is that it continue to
educate our youth about the horrors of meth so they aren't tempted to
try it . . . (via) billboards, print ads and television spots. The
radio spots are produced with local youth who have used meth.

2. The ads in this second phase of the campaign are quite disturbing.
I guess that's the whole intention. Meth really can turn people into
zombies. What kind of comments are you getting from youth about the ads?

The vast majority of comments we receive on our Web site are
extremely supportive and thankful for this ad campaign.. Some
specific comments regarding the ads include: "I just moved out to
Arizona a month ago (from California), and for the first time last
week, I saw one of the meth ads. It scared ... me and gave me the
chills. ... I used to use meth and couldn't believe the commercial I
had just seen. If they ever played that in California, I would have
to say I would have never tried meth (and) I'm so glad that the 'Not
Even Once' billboards have gone up in my town. On top of making me
reconsider taking meth, these ads have helped me show my boyfriend
and a few close friends why they should get off of meth."

3. It seems like today's kids would be smart enough not to try meth.
Doesn't everybody know meth can destroy your life?

Nearly everybody knows that tobacco is bad for them, but some still smoke.

4. Talk a bit, if you will, about the pledge. Will a promise by a
youngster be enough to keep them from trying meth?

The Arizona Meth Project's summer outreach program worked with local
anti-meth coalitions, the Boys & Girls Clubs and other partners to
ask youth to sign a pledge promising they would never try "Meth - Not
Even Once!" Over 100 banners were returned from these community
events, with approximately 10,500 signatures. While a promise and a
signature on a banner (alone) may not be enough to keep some people
from trying meth, the summer outreach event was a personal way for
youth to become involved and learn more about the dangers of meth.

5. What kind of numbers are there in terms of use, abuse and
availability of meth for youths? I think parents might be surprised
at the numbers.

According to the Arizona Youth Survey administered by the Arizona
Criminal Justice Commission, 4.3 percent of the state's youth (ages
13-17) have tried meth. According to the Arizona Meth Use & Attitudes
Survey, 16 percent of teens and 34 percent of young adults report
that they have been offered meth. Also, 1 in 4 teens and 1 in 3 young
adults (28 percent and 31 percent, respectively) said their friends
would not give them "a hard time" for using meth. Fifteen percent of
teens and 24 percent of young adults said they have close friends who
use meth. Thirty-seven percent of teens and 53 percent of young
adults said it would be easy for them to get meth. Sixteen percent of
teens and 34 percent of young adults acknowledged that someone has
offered them meth or tried to get them to use meth.

6. What are some of the signs of meth abuse that parents should be on
the lookout for? And what should a kid do if he or she knows somebody
who is using meth?

Any drastic changes in behavior may be cause for concern. Some
examples include not socializing with old friends anymore; selling
personal items such as stereo and gaming equipment; experiencing
trouble at school; hanging out with new friends who are different
than the usual crowd; showing sudden temper outburst, strange mood or
attitude changes and changes in the way they look - hair, skin or
teeth looking nasty. If a teen or young adult suspects that somebody
is using meth, he or she should notify a parent, a school resource
officer, a teacher or counselor. This can be done confidentially.

7. Who's paying for the anti-meth campaign? I see ads in newspapers
and billboards and TV. Are taxpayers footing the bill?

The Arizona Meth Project has received nearly $5.3 million from 10
counties (including a substantial allocation from Maricopa County's
General Fund), the Attorney General's Office and private funds raised
by counties. We also received an allocation from the Salt River
Pima-Maricopa Tribe.

Our goal is to sustain the project through a fundraising effort
establishing a public-private partnership.