Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jan 2007
Source: Missoulian (MT)
Copyright: 2007 Missoulian
Contact:  http://www.missoulian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/720
Note: Only prints letters from within its print circulation area
Author: Jennifer McKee, Missoulian State Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

REPORT: METH USE DECLINING

HELENA - Methamphetamine use in Montana appears to be declining, a 
new report shows, although the social costs of the addictive drug 
remain very high, costing the state about

$10 million a year.      "We have a long way to go," said Attorney 
General Mike McGrath, who unveiled the report Wednesday. "This 
doesn't mean we've necessarily turned the corner, but we're certainly 
going around the bend."

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug "cooked" from some cold 
medicines and a laundry list of other ingredients. Compared to other 
drugs, meth is relatively new, but quickly gained foothold in Montana 
in the past 15 years. The destructive drug now plays a major role in 
Montana crime and has pumped up costs of the state's social welfare 
and correctional systems.

In recent years, however, both lawmakers and private people have 
tried to get a handle on the drug. Beginning in 2005, the privately 
funded Montana Meth Project began airing graphic television, radio 
and billboard ads driving home the unglamorous realities of meth use.

Software entrepreneur Tom Siebel bankrolled the project to the tune 
of many millions of dollars. Late last year, Siebel announced a $5 
million matching grant to the program which will match donations made 
by other businesses.

In 2005, lawmakers passed a package of new laws aimed at better 
treating meth-addicted criminals and going after some of the raw 
ingredients of meth.

All those efforts seem to be paying off, McGrath said.

Ninety-three percent of Montana middle and high school students now 
say using meth is a "grave risk," according to the report.

McGrath attributes that figure directly to the Montana Meth Project.

"There are things in the media that would give kids the impression 
that maybe cocaine has some glamour," McGrath said, or marijuana and 
alcohol. But there is nothing suggesting meth is glamorous and the 
Meth Project ads drive home how unpleasant a meth addict's life can 
quickly become.

Meth use and meth-related crimes also appear to be on the decline. 
Workplace drug testing shows a 73 percent drop in the number of 
people testing positive for meth, the report shows, and the biggest 
state decline in the nation. Teenagers also report a drop in their 
own meth use, down from 13.5 percent of all teens using meth to 8.3 
percent today.

Drug tests on criminals charged with drug possession also show a drop 
in those testing positive for meth. In 2005, 56 percent of all such 
criminals tested positive for meth. In 2006, that figure dropped to 25 percent.

Additionally, meth-related crimes dropped by 53 percent in 2006 after 
increasing for years.

The number of drug labs is also declining, the report shows. In 2006, 
15 meth labs were found in Montana. Since October, not one has been found.

McGrath attributes that to the difficulty of buying meth's main 
ingredient, cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine.

But he said meth has not disappeared; it's likely just coming into 
the state from someplace else.

While it is difficult to catch a drug trafficker, McGrath said, it's 
still positive that Montana has fewer meth labs, which are 
environmental and fire hazards and are unsafe for children.

McGrath said he expects the numbers of teens who use meth will 
continue to fall as younger kids exposed to the Montana Meth Project 
ads at an earlier age become older and are more likely to be offered the drug.

The report was preliminary, McGrath said, adding that a final report 
will probably take another year of work. But the early results are 
very promising.

"It does indicate an early trend," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman