The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, in conjunction with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), has launched a new ad campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine abuse in American Indian/Alaska Native communities across the country. The campaign, which includes public service messages for radio and print, as well as posters, is the first national meth prevention initiative developed specifically for Indian Country.

“This campaign is meant to empower tribal communities to take action to address the ever-rising meth problem,” said Mike Townsend, Executive Vice President at the Partnership. “Through increased education and communication between parents, elders and teens, communities can become more resilient to the meth threat. It’s our hope that these public service messages will encourage that dialogue and blunt meth abuse in those communities.”

Nationally, Native Americans, including American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, experience the highest rates of methamphetamine abuse among all other ethnicities, a factor that creates a negative ripple effect throughout communities. A 2006 report from the Bureau of Indian Affairs indicates that 74% of tribal police forces rank meth as their greatest drug threat, and 48% report an increase in child neglect and abuse cases due to increased methamphetamine use.

The research-based campaign has a dual focus, with radio, print and poster ads aimed at Native youth, and print and radio messages targeting Native adults and elders. The new youth radio spots embrace the theme of “Who Am I?” (listen here) which acknowledges that Native youth often straddle two worlds, the traditional way of life and modern society. The spots also explore how identity struggles may increase teens’ vulnerability to meth, and encourage youth to draw strength from their traditions, heritage and connection with other teens to avoid the trap of meth (listen here).

Alina Diaz of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America said Native American community leaders are hopeful the ads will get parents and children talking about the problem. “Increased education and communication between parents, elders and teens is one of the most important factors in preventing meth use,” she said. “The ads encourage youth to draw strength from their traditions and heritage to avoid the trap of meth. They also aim to encourage Indian adults to stay involved in their children’s lives.”

For more information and a how-to guide of tips and advice for fighting meth in Native communities, visit www.ncai.org. Public service messages are being distributed on a pro-bono basis by NCAI, the Partnership and various community groups. Interested communities may contact April Hale at 202.466.7767 or ahale@ncai.org.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has launched Meth360, a  multidisciplinary community outreach program designed to enhance community efforts to deal with the impact of methamphetamine, and mobilize parents and concerned citizens to take action to prevent meth use.

Created in 2006 with funding from the United States Department of Justice, Meth360 pairs teams of law enforcement officers with substance abuse prevention and treatment professionals to co-deliver meth awareness presentations at local business and civic organizations, schools and parent groups. By encouraging presenters to work in teams and bring their own experiences and anecdotes to the presentation, Meth360 offers audiences a “360-degree” perspective of the meth issue. For presenters, Meth360 helps build bridges between law enforcement and social services providers in their efforts to protect families and communities from substance abuse.

Meth360 was pilot-tested in four regions, with support from four lead law enforcement agencies. The Partnership recruited and trained presenters in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Albany, New York; Pierce and King Counties, Washington and Fairfax and Prince William Counties in Northern Virginia. During the nine-month pilot, 170 volunteer presenters from all three disciplines delivered 200 presentations, reaching 7,100 community members.

“Communities must be involved if we are to win the fight against drugs,” said Sergeant James Cox of the Fairfax County Police Department, one of the first agencies participating in Meth360. “Meth360 has aided our Department in forming partnerships with the communities we serve-and with our own government- by delivering the extremely powerful message that accompanies this campaign. These partnerships will be long-lasting and treasured, and if other jurisdictions have the same success we have had with Meth360, I truly believe methamphetamine can be a drug of the past.”

Audience evaluations in the pilot areas indicate that 93 percent of those who saw the presentation said Meth360 “taught them more” about methamphetamine and 86 percent reported they would “take action” to help protect their community.

Subsequent research, conducted by The Police Executive Research Forum, shows that 100 percent of presenters who responded to a survey would recommend Meth360 to communities interested in raising awareness about meth use, and 98 percent stated that the multidisciplinary approach enhanced the program’s credibility.

The Partnership has now expanded Meth360 into ten new states, and has recruited lead law enforcement agencies to help establish and expand the program in each state. Meth360 is now operating in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina and Texas. Program participants are using a new Web site, www.drugfree.org/meth360, to train themselves to deliver and coordinate presentations. This resource is available to all agencies, free of charge, and includes all materials needed to implement Meth360.

With additional funding from the Office of Justice of Programs and the COPS Office, the Partnership is expanding Meth360 into ten more states in 2008-Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, West Virginia and Wisconsin-and is creating youth, parent and Spanish-language versions of the presentation.

To learn more about Meth360, please visit www.drugfree.org/meth360 or email meth360@drugfree.org.

There’s been quite a lot of attention to methamphetamine in the news lately. Here’s a round-up of recent quotes commenting on the addictive nature of this drug as well as its effects on the body and the community.

ADDICTION

“The crystalline white drug quickly seduces those who snort, smoke or inject it with a euphoric rush of confidence, hyperalertness and sexiness that lasts for hours on end. And then it starts destroying lives.”
- David J. Jefferson, “America’s Most Dangerous Drug” Newsweek August 8, 2005

“Meth can quickly transform casual users into junkies…”
- Richard Jerome, People August 8, 2005

“This is a drug that has an insatiable pull even among people who’ve been off it for several years.”
- Dominic Ippolito “My Life as a Drug Dealer” Newsweek August 1, 2005

“‘With meth, there’s no such thing as a casual user,’ says Joseph Frascella, Ph.D., a neuroscientist at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in Bethesda, Maryland. ‘The younger someone starts using meth, the worse the outcome.’”
- David Weiss, “The Deadliest Drug You’ve Never Heard Of” Ladies Home Journal August 2005

“Things had descended in a way that I never could have imagined, and I shocked myself with my ability to rationalize and tolerate things that were once unthinkable. He’s just experimenting. Going through a stage. It’s only marijuana. He gets high only on weekends. At least he’s not using heroin. He would never resort to needles. At least he’s alive.”
- David Sheff, “My Addicted Son” The New York Times, February 6, 2005

EFFECTS

“The first thing people on methamphetamine lose is their common sense.”
- Michael Specter, “Higher Risk” The New Yorker May 23, 2005

“The physical effects of methamphetamine use are often jarring — from sunken eyes and bone-thin frames to teeth that turn gray and deteriorate.
- Martha Irvine, “States Grapple With Growing Teen Meth Use” The Associated Press April 10, 2005

“In short stretches of time, sometimes just months, a perfectly healthy set of teeth can turn a grayish-brown, twist and begin to fall out, and take on a peculiar texture less like that of hard enamel and more like that of a piece of fruit.”
- Monica Davey, “Grisly Effect of One Drug: ‘Meth Mouth’” The New York Times June 11, 2005

“Among some suburban teens, meth is known as ‘the Jenny Crank diet.’”
- David Weiss, “The Deadliest Drug You’ve Never Heard Of” Ladies Home Journal August 2005

COMMUNITY

“More than 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine, and 1.5 million are regular users.”
- David J. Jefferson, “America’s Most Dangerous Drug” Newsweek August 8, 2005

“Meth addicts are pouring into prisons and recovery centers at an ever-increasing rate, and a new generation of ‘meth babies’ is choking the foster-care system in many states.”
- David J. Jefferson, “America’s Most Dangerous Drug” Newsweek August 8, 2005

“Since many meth ingredients are flammable, one false move by a cook can yield disaster.”
- Arian Campo-Flores, “The Fallout” Newsweek August 8, 2005

“Untold families who bought homes in recent years live in former meth labs. Some, upon discovering their homes were filled with residue from acetone, red phosphorus and other toxic agents, have fled, losing their investment and a life’s worth of treasured possessions.”
- Richard Jerome “Home Toxic Home?” People August 8, 2005

“Meth mouth” is one of the most notorious physical effects found among meth users. Poor hygiene and the consumption of sugary food and drinks can rapidly turn pearly-whites into a yellow, decaying, stomach-turning mess that often leaves meth users with enormous dental bills and gaping holes in their mouths.

To fully investigate this phenomenon, the Partnership interviewed Dr. Robert Brandjord, former President of the American Dental Association (ADA).

What exactly is meth mouth?
DR. ROBERT BRANDJORD: “Meth mouth” occurs when a person has a rapid onset of dental decay. Often, their teeth become blackened and stained and appear to be rotting away and falling apart. What makes it different from normal dental decay is the rapid rate at which it occurs.

The difference between meth mouth and other types of decay can be pretty clear. Most of the time when people have tooth decay, it happens in the back of the mouth, in the grooves of the teeth because that area is the hardest to clean. When a person has tooth decay as a result of meth use, the decay occurs on the front teeth, along the surfaces of the gumline - which, ironically, is the easiest area to get clean.

Can someone get meth mouth even if they don’t smoke meth — but, say, uses the drug intravenously?
You can get any of the effects of meth mouth without actually smoking meth. Contrary to popular belief, meth mouth is not a result of the toxic chemicals of the drug itself.

Meth mouth can occur for a number of reasons. First, meth users often become less and less concerned with their personal hygiene and sometimes stop taking care of their teeth altogether. Second, meth users crave sugary drinks, like sodas, when they’re high on meth. Having a high intake of these beverages can help to cause tooth decay. The sugar combined with poor oral hygiene is a terrible combination for the mouth. Third, the use of meth slows down saliva production in the mouth - which is a natural cleanser of the oral cavity. Also, meth stimulates the grinding and clenching of teeth - this is how the teeth break apart while they are decaying.

So, do all meth users get meth mouth?
No, not all meth users get meth mouth, since it’s brought on more by personal hygiene than the actual drug itself. If a meth user can still remember to brush his or her teeth and refrains from drinking sugary beverages, the risk of getting meth mouth will decrease. However, as stated before, chronic methamphetamine use can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which significantly increases the risk of dental decay, enamel erosion and periodontal disease.

How many dental treatments can it take to cure meth mouth?
This can vary - some teeth can be restored quickly, but so many people come in to see dentists in such a severe state that their teeth can’t be saved. Many people have no choice but to have dentures and partial dentures put in. Meth mouth robs people, especially young people, of their teeth.

What are typical treatments for meth mouth?
Frequent professional dental hygiene visits with the application of concentrated fluoride to prevent rapid progression of the tooth decay. After this, the teeth would be restored or removed (depending on the damage). The appropriate treatment is dependent on the extent of damage done to the teeth.

Are these treatments expensive? Up to how much can they cost?
The cost of the treatments depends on the amount of damage to the teeth that has occurred and the treatment needed to restore the teeth. If the damage is to the extent you have seen in some of the pictures the costs can be in the thousands of dollars.

What have you done to prepare American dentists to fix this type of tooth decay?
We’ve put together brochures and information that’s available on our website and we encourage all dentists to share any experience they have had treating meth mouth with the ADA and their colleagues.

What do you suggest for a meth user who is concerned about the condition of his or her mouth?
First, I would hope that if they are concerned about the condition of their mouth, they would seek professional help to treat the overall methamphetamine addiction. Cessation of the meth use would be the most desirable first step to stop the progression of meth mouth.

If a person is still using, the dry mouth (xerostomia) induced by meth will cause an individual to want to drink plenty of liquids - I would recommend drinking water and not sugary carbonated beverages. As stated earlier, the rate of progression of meth mouth can be reduced by practicing good oral hygiene, which includes brushing, flossing and rinsing with fluoridated mouthwash and getting frequent professional dental cleanings.

Meth has been sneaking its way into our homes, businesses, schools and lives, but through the hard work and dedication of parents, teens, law enforcement officials and community leaders there is something that can be done to stop it. The Partnership was able to speak first-hand with Bill Adams, director of the Salem, Oregon anti-meth group, No Meth - Not in My Neighborhood! about how they are fighting meth head-on and making a difference in their community.

The Partnership: What exactly is No Meth - Not in My Neighborhood?
Bill Adams: No Meth is a neighborhood task force in Salem, Oregon made up of volunteers from all walks of life, from law enforcement officers to recovering addicts and interested citizens. Together we have come together to raise the awareness of meth in our community. Our mission statement is “to reduce and prevent the devastating effects of meth in our neighborhoods through a grassroots community-wide effort.”

The P: Why did you start No Meth?
BA: When meth first hit, it was a big problem on the West Coast, especially in California. We are connected to that state by a major highway, I-5, and we became a high-intensity drug trafficking area. Meth turned into a significant problem in our area, as it has everywhere else, and something needed to be done. Two members of our community, Anna Peterson and Dick Withnell, thought that the meth problem needed attention and to be seen as a priority, so they started the group.

The P: What different ways has meth affected your community?
BA: We have been working with people from the medical profession, social workers, law enforcement, low-income and affluent neighborhoods and schools. There are issues everywhere, and we have made it a point to address all of them. Hospitals need to be aware of people coming in with burns from labs, or women who are pregnant and high. Foster care is a huge concern as thousands of children are being removed from their families because of meth. We want to make people aware of these issues so that they can be prevented.

The P: How did No Meth gain interest? Is it completely volunteer?
BA: We are very unique because we are literally a grassroots organization and we run completely and intentionally separate from any other public organization. Anna and Dick held a forum for a number of citizens in the area and explained why things needed to change. There had been budget cuts in Oregon which were decimating the state police, so it was up to the counties to start regulating the drug trafficking on the highways. We were able to bring together the public sector entities to begin rallying for support and funds for this cause.

The P: How often do you meet and where?
BA: We have an office in the local YMCA (but are not religiously affiliated) in which we pay a very moderate price for rent. Our executive committee meets once a month to provide direction to the rest of the group. We try to hold public forums or meetings about every other month as well.

The P: Where do you get your funding?
BA: We have foundation grants that we apply for, and we also receive money from the political entities in the area. When we mail out our materials, we apply for mass-mailing grants. Donations are also a key factor in keeping us afloat.

The P: Do you distribute any educational materials?
BA: Yes, we produce mass mailings and brochures in English and in Spanish and we distribute them in any way possible so that they reach anyone and everyone. Right now we are focusing more on prevention and treatment than we are on enforcement, so we are attempting to mobilize parents and professional groups, specifically the medical community since they are so involved in a number of meth issues (lab explosions and burns to addicted women expecting babies).

The P: How are you spreading the word?
BA: We have found that the low-income areas are more aware of meth because it’s just not hidden there. In the high-end neighborhoods, they are ignoring the drug — not talking about and getting away with using it. A lot of community members don’t believe they have a problem; therefore, we will do anything to make these places more aware. For example, if an arrest takes place in an affluent neighborhood, we make sure that is has a good amount of press coverage.

The P: Do you hold any events?
BA: We hold forums every few months in which we try to address all of the issues surrounding meth — not simply enforcement. At the last forum we held there were 1000-plus people in attendance. We split them up into groups to discuss various areas of concern from identity theft to the overwhelming amount of children in foster care due to addicted parents.

The P: Any last comments on the drug meth?
BA: All we’re doing is pushing the meth problem around the map — we need national collaborative approaches to this crisis, or we’re going to be fighting it for the next 20 years.