METH MISSIONARIES
Nonprofit Crystal Darkness event raises $60,000 to combat usage of drug in Nevada
BY SAMRA DAYANI

Nevada ranks first in the nation for crystal methamphetamine use per capita. In the previous four years, adolescent treatment admissions for the use of crystal meth, a drug five times more addictive than heroine, increased by 46 percent in Clark County. Additionally, according to the Substance Abuse Prevention Treatment Agency, 11.7 percent of Nevada adolescents reported that they have experimented with crystal meth.

In an effort to combat use of this drug of free choice, organizers of the Crystal Darkness Reception, held Dec. 5, raised more than $60,000. 

Guests of honor included Gov. Jim Gibbons and First Lady Dawn Gibbons along with honorary host committee members Reps. Shelley Berkley and Jon Porter, Sheriff Doug Gillespie, Clark County School District Superintendent Walt Ruffles and UFC Champion Randy Couture. 

“It speaks volumes to how significant this problem actually is when you have such influential members of the state and local leadership joining together for a particular cause,” said David Marlon, President of The Solutions Foundation. 

“This drug destroys lives,” said Pastor Troy Martinez, founder of 10,000 Kids. “I’ve watched the devastating effects that this drug causes on people’s lives and their families. Children are separated from their parents and families are torn apart.” 

The Crystal Darkness Campaign was introduced to Clark County School District students via handbooks which have been distributed to 7th through 12th graders. The handbooks describe the psychological, cognitive and physical effects of crystal methamphetamine. Additionally, more than 800 individuals have received training in order to educate other adults and children on the drug and its consequences. 

In May of 2007, all major television channels aired the Crystal Darkness documentary and volunteers were available following the program to answer questions as well as provide referral sources for assistance with crystal meth. 

Funds raised at the reception will assist in the 2008 awareness and educational campaign, which will include the creation and distribution of 4th, 5th and 6th grade handbooks that are edited to ensure age appropriate content and information. Parents’ Tool Kits will also be made available to those suspecting their child may be using crystal methamphetamine. The kits will contain educational material on the drug, suggestions for discussing drugs with children, and a drug testing kit. Additionally, a community outreach program will be established to work with various youth organizations to warn children of the harmful consequences associated with crystal methamphetamine use. 

“This money will go a long way in continuing our efforts to educate and train people on how meth can impact their lives,” said Marlon. 

The reception was sponsored in collaboration with The Solutions Foundation and 10,000 Kids. The Solutions Foundation is a nonprofit corporation created to assist Nevadans in combating substance abuse and dependency through awareness and education. The 10,000 Kids organization aims to improve the lives of at least 10,000 kids in Southern Nevada annually.