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USP

April 3, 2008
Vol. 33/ Issue 3

 


HEADLINES

According to a new DASIS report, the use of meth leads substance abuse treatment admissions for the year 2005. The percentage of primary treatment admissions has more than doubled since 1995. Statistics compiled on the substance abuse admissions show that frequent meth abuse causes serious health consequences. The highly addictive drug, which affects the central nervous system with over-stimulation, has been linked to rapid or irregular heartbeat, extreme dental problems, mood swings and disturbances, impaired memory, various psychiatric problems and more recently to diabetic complications and other organ function problems.

The report compares treatment admissions where meth is the primary drug, to other drug treatment admissions.

The Oscar-nominated Iñárritu has directed three new television ads for the three-year-old Meth Project. The ads, which are targeted to teenagers, launched yesterday in Montana.

Nitsa Zuppa, executive director of the Siebel Foundation that funds the Meth Project, said Iñárritu jumped on board after they showed him ads already directed by Tony Kaye and Darren Aronofsky. “We approached him and showed him the ads,” Zuppa told me this morning. “He went home that night and showed them to his kids. The next morning he said, ‘I’m in.’ ”

Idaho First lady Lori Otter addressed officials in the nation’s capital Wednesday about the effectiveness of the Idaho Meth Project.

“Its results in Montana have been more significant than any drug prevention program in history, and I believe we are on a path to see the same benefits in Idaho,” Otter said while addressing the House Appropriations Subcommittee of Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, chaired by Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV).




ANNOUNCEMENTS

Network Environmental Systems, Inc., the leading provider of clandestine drug lab safety training in the U.S. was awarded a Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant to provide meth awareness training to first on-scene law enforcement. NES is seeking interest from law enforcement agencies interested in holding a session in their region. If your agency is interested in hosting a class please contact Stephanie Summers at ssummers@networkenvironmental.com or call 800 637-2384. The 4-hr class will train first on-scene officers and other law enforcement personnel how to identify and safely deal with methamphetamine abusers and methamphetamine labs they can encounter during routine calls and traffic stops. NES is also developing a web-based awareness class, scheduled for completion by October of 2008.


Communities and Cops Combat Meth

Federal, state, and local investment in Washington efforts shows early successes. Click here to read the report by King County Sheriff and Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative.


ONDCP MEDIA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES NEW METH PREVENTION INITIATIVE

Print Ads, Photo Exhibit, and Other New Resources Help Communities Fight Meth

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign launched its Anti-Meth Campaign today. In conjunction with National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month, the new campaign highlights the dangers associated with meth use for the individual, families, and communities‹and delivers a message of hope, with stories from people in recovery and community leaders who are making progress in the fight against meth. The effort includes advertising, news media outreach, and online resources.

Read more...


Methpedia Podcast - New Victories and New Challenges in the War on Meth

Click here to listen to the podcast.


The Office of National Drug Control Policy releases "Synthetic Drug Control Strategy" and "National Drug Control Strategy".

Click here to read Synthetic Drug Control Strategy

Click here to read National Drug Control Strategy.


A Portrait of the Typical School-Age Meth User

The typical student user of methamphetamines is a 17-year old white male who lives with both parents, first tried meth at age 12.6 years, under performs in the classroom, and does not view the drug as harmful to the health, according to data collected by Pride Surveys from more than 3,000 self-reported users of meth in grades 6-12.

More than half (51.1%) find meth to be “very easy” to obtain. Another 12.5% said “fairly easy.”

Click here to get the full Pride Surveys report.


Stories Wanted! About Your Local Community's National Methamphetamine Awareness Day Activities

We want to share your stories about your local community's activities during National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. Send your stories to jcopple@sai-dc.com. Please include a brief paragraph describing your activity or project for that day.


Methpedia.org's FIRST PODCAST

You can access Methpedia.org's first podcast, regarding National Methamphetamine Awareness Day by clicking here.


Methpedia.org Methamphetamine Blog

Contribute to a blog on methamphetamine on the new Methpedia.org. Go to http://www.methpedia.org/ then click on "Blogs".



The Senate passed S. 3525, the Improving Outcomes for Children Affected by Meth Act of 2006, yesterday. For additional details about this act and other information, please click here.


ABOUT US

Strategic Applications International pursues great ideas, promotes actions and effects change with demonstrated results. Strategic Applications International (SAI) partners and consultants have worked with the National Crime Prevention Council, Drug Enforcement Administration, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Community Oriented Policing (COPS) Office for the last five years to convene statewide Meth Summits in more than 15 states. SAI is engaged in the development and distribution of a wide variety of tools and services to assist local, state and federal agencies apply research and best practices to the many aspects of the meth challenge.

To find out more about SAI and its work on meth, please click here.

You are receiving this email as a courtesy to those who have an interest in the Methamphetamine issue. To unsubscribe click here.


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