Pubdate: Sun, 11 May 2008
Source: Rapid City Journal (SD)
Copyright: 2008 The Rapid City Journal
Contact:  http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1029
Author: Emily Fischer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DEATH TO METH BRINGS DRUG-FREE MESSAGE TO YOUTHS

PINE RIDGE - Death to Meth, an all-day music and art event Saturday 
at Pine Ridge High School, hosted several bands connected to the 
reservation in addition to local speakers and an art workshop, 
providing a positive, drug-free message for the youths of Pine Ridge.

Death to Meth, which began as a memorial for Saunie Wilson's 
15-year-old niece who died from a methamphetamine overdose, continues 
in its third year to grow as a community awareness event addressing 
the negative effect drugs have on reservation youths. Eight-year-old 
Jaden Turning Holy of Pine Ridge has attended each year and has 
learned the message well: "I'd say meth is very bad to do, and it 
will actually ... make you die."

During Wilson's several years serving as a juvenile judge in the 
tribal court system, she has dealt with the severity of drug use 
among teenagers on the reservation.

"It's out of control," she said. "The U.S. or tribal government is 
not going to change it. It has to be us, the community, who has to 
say 'Enough.'"

Wilson's determination to address the drug-use epidemic prompted her 
to organize Death to Meth, a music concert that attracted more than 
400 people last year. Attendance was expected to be at least as high 
this year, especially for the evening meal and performances, though 
fewer were there Saturday afternoon.

Jarrian Clifford, a seventh-grader at Wolf Creek School, is a 
first-time participant who said he has known about meth since second grade.

"It can be made from household items like baking soda and acid," he said.

Clifford has no intentions of ever trying meth or any drugs, and he 
attributes this attitude to the positive role models in his life: 
Grandma Pamela Giago, Grandpa Warren Giago, and Auntie Tonya Clifford.

Music wasn't the only positive attraction for the youths at Death to 
Meth. This year, aspiring artists were encouraged to contribute their 
talents toward the completion of a mural depicting the devastation of 
drug use. Marisol Torres and Joe Galarza, professional artists from 
Los Angeles, coordinated the production of a colorful mural rich with 
symbolism and contrast. The face of a Lakota woman is split, with one 
half depicting her life on drugs and the other half revealing a 
healthy life spent drug-free.

At least a dozen kids painted finishing touches and handprints on the 
mural during Saturday's artist workshop. Torres and Galarza 
incorporated the Lakota culture using significant symbols within the 
mural. "It is a gift for the community here, and that is why we 
decided to add the Lakota symbolism."

Six-year-old Mato Denney is proud of his work on the mural. He enjoys 
drawing and painting on paper, so when invited to work on his first 
mural, Denney didn't hesitate.

"I didn't do it before, but I just think about it: I can do good!" 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake