Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jan 2008
Source: Bonner County Daily Bee (ID)
Copyright: 2008 The Bonner County Daily Bee
Contact:  http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3628
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

GET INFORMED ABOUT THE DANGERS OF METH

Grab the nearest teenager you can find and explain to  him or her that
meth is dangerous. A 2007 survey of  Idaho teens released on Tuesday
shows that a vast  majority of that population is unaware of the
dangers  of meth.

The Idaho Meth Use & Attitudes survey shows that many Idaho teens see
little to no risk in trying meth and  have not tried to stop friends
from taking the highly  addictive drug.

Twenty-two percent of teens believe meth will make them  happy; 25
percent believe meth will help them lose weight and 17 percent said
meth use would help them  have increased energy.

The average class size in junior and senior high in  Idaho is 25. This
means that one student in each class  is using meth, according to
Megan Ronk, executive  director of the Idaho Meth Project.

As most Bee readers know, this newspaper has begun a  series of public
service announcement ads to remind  readers of the dangers of meth and
to hopefully open  lines of communications between parents and teens.

In addition, the Bee is teaming up with the Greater  Sandpoint Chamber
of Commerce to bring Ronk to the  February chamber lunch on Feb. 14 at
the Cedar Hills  Church.

Reservations for the lunch need to be made by calling  263-0887. You
don't have to be a chamber member to attend this important meeting.

"Meth impacts us all," said chamber executive director  Amy Little.
"Any health care provider or law  enforcement official will tell you
that meth continues to ruin lives."

The Bee will also be distributing an anti-meth publication to all
Bonner County schools through the  Newspapers in Education program.

Parents, grandparents and anyone who cares about humanity needs to
get informed about meth.

We feel it is this newspaper's responsibility to help provide that
information.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin