April 15, 2008, 6:30 - 7 p.m. on CW6
Hotline: 1-888-METHAID (the hotline will be staffed during the airing of Crystal Darkness)
For more information, visit www.crystaldarkness.com, then click on the Arizona link.

Crystal Darkness is a unique collaboration between local media, law enforcement, schools, recovery specialists, faith organizations and the business community. These organizations work together to help victims, create awareness and prevent drug use. Crystal Darkness has previously aired in Reno, Las Vegas, San Diego and across the state of Oregon.

It has brought the community together in the fight against Crystal Meth and has mobilized individuals and organizations to seek the help they need to fight back and protect our youth and neighborhoods against this terrible drug.

The documentary not only aims to help victims of Crystal Meth, but to create awareness of the deadly effects of the drug amongst the state’s youth and discourage its use.

Broadcast, radio and print media across the state (English-language and Spanish-language) have endorsed the mission of Crystal Darkness and pledged their support. All participating television and radio stations are donating the half-hour time period and preempting their regularly scheduled programming in order to air the commercial-free program. Several radio stations will hold live discussion forums and call-ins from residents after the program airs.

FACTS

Arizona faces a rising crises of methamphetamine use and distribution. The series of statistics surrounding this terrible drug are shocking. Below is a compilation of facts from several federal and local law enforcement studies over the past 10 years and a 2006 report by Attorney General Terry Goddard’s office. The problem has grown worse since then.

Distribution and Production:

• Arizona is a critical hub for the distribution of Mexican-produced methamphetamine throughout the Midwest and other parts of the nation
• Mexican trafficking groups and their associates now make up 80% of meth arrests
• From 2000-2006, there were 1,412 meth-production-related seizures in the state of Arizona
• Arizona lab seizures actually decreased from 398 in 2000 to 122 in 2004
• 51% of injuries at meth labs happen to first responders
• The typical lab cooker produces 48 to 72 times a year
• Each pound of meth produced leaves behind an estimated 5-7 pounds of toxic waste.

Effects, Use and Abuse:

• From 2000-2004 the number of individuals seeking treatment for meth addiction quintupled from 614 people in 2000 to 3,301 in 2004
• In 2003, 42% of females and 38% of men booked into Maricopa County jail tested positive for methamphetamine
• 2.91% of Arizona young adults aged 18-25 report meth use in 2005
• In the city of Phoenix, methamphetamine-related deaths increased from 20 in 1992 to 122 in1994, a 570% jump
• Abuse of meth may cause irregular heartbeat and even physical collapse
• Abuse of the drug can lead to delusions, hallucinations, and a feeling of paranoia.

Children and Youths:

• Roughly 65% of Arizona state child abuse and neglect cases involved meth use
• From 2000-2005, 408 children were rescued from meth labs, 281 in Maricopa County
• 30-35% of meth labs seized are residences with children
• From 2000-2002, 33% of children found at meth labs tested positive for the drug
• Parental exposure to meth causes infants to be six times more likely to be born with birth defects
• Children found in meth labs often suffer from developmental delays.
• 2.02 % of Arizona teens aged 12 or older report Meth use in 2005
• In 2006, Meth use rose to: 2.6% amongst 8th graders
• 5.0% amongst 10th graders; and 6.6% amongst 12th graders.

The Costs & Community Impact:

• From 2000-2005, gross contamination associated with meth labs exceeded $4.1 million
• Meth is the leading drug law enforcement problem in the U.S.
• 70% of reporting counties found 40-50% of all arrests between 200-2005 were meth related
• 90-95% of all mail fraud in greater Tucson is meth related
• The rates of meth hospital admissions increased in 1990-2004 by: 855% in Maricopa County, 1940% in Pima County, 2950% in rural counties.

---

---