A program that has been effective in four other states in fighting first-time if methamphetamine use is now active in Wyoming.

On June 16, the Wyoming Meth Project advisory board kicked off a campaign that is patterned after a program started in Montana two years ago. According to the project’s Web site, meth use in Montana decreased by 45 percent in the last two years, moving the state from fifth in the nation in meth use to 39th.

“G.F. Roper of New York took a survey in April and May of Wyoming middle and high school students and their parents,” said Jean Davies, executive director of the Wyoming Meth Project. “We plan to perform another survey probably next January to check the results of the campaign.”

The Meth Project has been criticized by some groups because of the graphic nature of the advertising. In one TV spot, a teen girl is taking a shower and looks down to see what she could become on meth. In another spot a teen boy takes money from patrons at a laundromat to pay for his meth habit.

“This is an education and prevention campaign,” Davies said. “What we heard from the kids is ‘You need to get real.’ They want to see what is actual. Hopefully this will translate into a decrease in other drugs as well.”

According to Davies, for the next six weeks the campaign wants each Wyoming teen to hear the meth message four times per week on TV and radio. The TV spots are scheduled to run after 7 p.m. to help prevent younger viewers from seeing them and radio ads featuring spots from former meth addicts will run on channels that are oriented toward teen audiences. Billboards across the state will show the meth message, and ads will run in both mainstream and school newspapers.

“We need to get it in their minds early not to even want to try it once,” Davies said. “It is highly addictive. The kids know that not everyone who uses it gets addicted. What they don’t know is the horrible depression and anger that comes when someone stops using it.”

The Wyoming Meth Project will cost an estimated $1.5 million per year and has been funded for the next two years by eight private foundations and individuals such as the McMurry Foundation, Daniels Fund, Tate Foundation and Siebel Foundation.

“What they have really done is to say the community does not have to rely on state government for funding,” said Rodger McDaniel, Wyoming Department of Health deputy director for mental health and substance abuse services. “They are to be commended for this.”

Wyoming ranks second in the country for meth use among teens ages 12-17 and first in the country for meth use among young adults ages 18-25. McDaniel said the Wyoming Department of Health does not keep statistics for each Wyoming county. However, according to local law enforcement, the meth problem in Torrington appears to be limited.

“We still have a meth problem,” said Goshen County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Capt. Bryan Morehouse. “It is difficult to say if it is as bad as it has been. It is not as intense - primarily due to limited availability. Traditionally people migrate toward illegal drugs that are cheaper to get a high. Meth prices are going up.”

“From my experience with high schoolers, the meth advertising is working,” said Torrington Police Chief Billy Janes. “They see these pictures of meth users and say, ‘I will never do that.’ We don’t see meth here that much. We haven’t been hit that hard with it.”

Meth is viewed by some teens as a way to stay up longer to study or party, a way to lose weight or a way to “feel unstoppable.” Experts estimate that as many as 70 to 80 percent of people who use meth may become addicted after their first or second use. Meth can cause psychotic behavior, brain damage, acne, self-mutilation, depression, paranoia, aggression, intense cravings and other symptoms. Meth is also extremely destructive to tooth enamel.

To help prevent local youth from trying meth, Peak Wellness Center in Torrington has worked with St. Joseph’s Children’s Home Youth Alternatives Program for the past three years on meth prevention.

“Any campaign to educate people about it is great,” Morehouse said. “To show the reality of meth is essential.”

Share on Facebook