Meth in Idaho
Key facts related to the Idaho Meth
Project and its program's impacts.
- Idaho spends between $60 to $102 million annually to incarcerate and treat offenders who admit to having a Meth problem - this represents between 32%-55% of the Idaho Department of Correction's total budget1
- 52% of Idaho inmates directly attribute Meth use to their incarceration2
- 89% of female offenders in county jail in Idaho indicate they have a problem with Meth-73% of these women indicate that Meth is their drug of choice3
- As of 2007: 70% of Federal drug offenses in Idaho involved methamphetamine4
- 80% of child placements by Health and Welfare are directly related to drug abuse with methamphetamine being the most prevalent drug of abuse5
- The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spends an average of $500,000 per month on Meth-related treatment6
WHAT IS THE IDAHO METH PROJECT?
The Idaho Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing Meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. Central to the integrated, research-based campaign is MethProject.org, a definitive source for information about Meth for teens. MethProject.org is supported by hard-hitting television, radio, print, online, mobile, and social media campaigns that communicate the risks of Meth use.The Meth Project has been credited with significant declines in Meth use, and was named the 3rd most effective philanthropy in the world by Barron's. Since the Project's launch, teen Meth use has declined 65% in Arizona7, 63% in Montana8, and 52% in Idaho9. Currently, eight state affiliates in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Montana and Wyoming implement the Meth Project prevention programs in their states.
On January 7, 2008, Governor C.L. "Butch" and First Lady Lori Otter announced the official launch of the Idaho Meth Project. Recognizing the pervasive problem of Meth in Idaho, the Governor and First Lady adopted a proactive approach to ensure that Idaho youth truly understand the dangers of this horrific drug. We need your continued support to ensure this campaign sustains itself over time so we can educate our citizens about the dangers of Meth - Take Action Now!
The National Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides fresh evidence that Idaho's efforts to combat methamphetamine are working. The most recent YRBS shows that between 2007 and 2009 there was a change of less than 10% in the rate of Meth use among U.S. teens (4.4% to 4.1%). By comparison, use among Idaho teens declined by 52% during the same period, from 6.4% in 2007 (significantly above the national average) to 3.1% in 2009, below the national average. According to the YRBS, Idaho saw the largest decline in teen Meth use of any state over the past two years.
This significant decrease clearly demonstrates that Idaho's integrated approach to addressing the state's methamphetamine problem is having an impact. As a result of the efforts of law enforcement, drug courts, treatment and prevention efforts like the Idaho Meth Project, we are seeing a reduction in Meth use among Idaho's youth.APPROACH
Every day, people are faced with the decision to try Meth. Many perceive benefits in using the drug, but little to no risk. This is the root of the problem. The goal of the Idaho Meth Project is to arm teens and young adults across the state with the facts about methamphetamine so that they can make well-informed decisions when presented with the opportunity to try it. The Idaho Meth Project conducts extensive statewide surveys and focus group research to more thoroughly understand Idahoans' attitudes and behaviors related to methamphetamine. This research provides the foundation for our messaging programs.RESEARCH-BASED MESSAGING CAMPAIGN
The Idaho Meth Project conducts extensive statewide surveys and focus group research to more thoroughly understand attitudes and behaviors related to methamphetamine in Idaho. This research provides the foundation for Idaho Meth Project's messaging and communication programs.
The Meth Project's campaigns are informed by six years of extensive quantitative and qualitative research with prevention experts and more than 50,000 teens and young adults through 60 national and statewide surveys, and 112 focus groups and have been developed in consultation with top experts in research, prevention, treatment, advertising, and digital media.
The Idaho Meth Project's integrated campaign is designed to reduce Meth use by educating teens, early and often, about the risks of the drug. The centerpiece of its research-based campaign is MethProject.org, a definitive source for information about Meth for teens. Through an immersive multimedia experience, MethProject.org addresses teens' most frequently asked questions about the physical, mental, and social impacts of Meth. MethProject.org is supported by hard-hitting television, radio, print, online, mobile, and social media campaigns that graphically communicate the risks of Meth use.
The Meth Project's campaigns have been cited for their uncompromising approach and demonstrated impact, having won 50 awards, including 11 Gold ADDY Awards, 19 Silver ADDY Awards, 2 Gold Effie Awards, and the Cannes Lions Award at the Cannes International Advertising Festival.
Since the Idaho Meth Project is funded through the generous contributions of private individuals, corporations, and foundations, we need your support - Take Action Now.PUBLIC POLICY AND COMMUNITY ACTION
The Idaho Meth Project organizes a broad range of community outreach programs to mobilize the people of Idaho to assist in Meth awareness and prevention activities.
Through its Paint the State art contest, the Idaho Meth Project prompted hundreds of
teens and their families to take action in the fight against Meth use by creating highly visible public art with a strong anti-Meth message.
The contest drew over 350 submissions from all over the state. Click here to learn more about the Idaho Meth Project community action and outreach events.
IDAHO METH PROJECT MILESTONES
In addition to its public awareness campaign, the Idaho Meth Project mobilizes volunteers and community groups throughout the state to spearhead education and prevention efforts, and coordinates with local, state, and federal partners in an effort to reduce methamphetamine use among Idaho's youth.| January 2007 | Plans Announced to Form Idaho Meth Project |
| May 2007 | Executive Director Hired |
| October 2007 | Advisory Council Formed |
| September 2007 | Baseline Idaho Meth Use & Attitudes Survey |
| November 2007 | Web Site Launched |
| January 2008 |
Official Launch of Idaho Meth Project announced by Governor and First Lady Otter - Survey results published - "Wave 1" Advertising launched: TV, radio, print, outdoor - Community action program initiated |
| September 2008 | Year 1 Idaho Meth Use & Attitudes Tracking Survey Launched |
| January 2009 | Second Idaho Meth Use & Attitudes Survey released, providing intial results on effectiveness of messaging campaign; Wave 2 of messaging campaign launched |
| January 2010 | Third Idaho Meth Use & Attitudes Survey release, providing results on effectiveness of messaging campaign; Wave 3 of messaging campaign launched |
| April 2010 | Paint the State launched |
| August 2010 | Paint the State county and statewide award winners announced |
| December 2010 | Meth Project named third most effective philanthropy in the world by Barron's Magazine |
| February 2011 | Fourth Idaho Meth Use & Attitudes Survey released; Wave 4 of messaging campaign launched |
| November 2011 | Ask MethProject.org campaign launched |
2Ibid.
3Ibid.
4Office of National Drug Control Policy, State of Idaho, Profile of Drug Indicators, June 2008
5Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
6Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
7Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Arizona Youth Survey. 2010.
8Montana Office of Public Instruction, 2009 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey. June 2009.
9Centers for Disease Control. 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 2010.
