Community Action
School Presentations
The Idaho Meth Project provides free school presentations to junior high schools, middle schools, and high schools throughout Idaho. Presentations are conducted by trained volunteers who provide important information about methamphetamine and share their personal stories of Meth use. Typically conducted in a classroom or small assembly setting, students are encouraged to ask questions and discuss their perceptions of Meth use in their school and community.
Community Presentations
Each year, the Idaho Meth Project coordinates a number of large-scale community presentations, called "Free Family Forums for Parents, 'Tweens and Teens." Parents and their children (ages 10 and up) are invited to come together and learn about the dangers of Meth through the perspectives of local experts in law enforcement and health care, as well as from former Meth users themselves. In addition to Free Family Forums, the Idaho Meth Project staff and volunteers conduct free presentations to teen clubs, business groups, trade associations, service organizations, religious organizations and other organizations upon request.
Information Booths
Idaho Meth Project volunteers participate in a wide variety of community events each year. These include county, state and regional fairs, health fairs, sporting events and festivals. Examples include:- Not Even Once Night (NEON): Organized by teen volunteers, this yearly event is held on the opening night of the Western Idaho Fair. Features live music, a T-shirt-making-station and glow sticks.
- DrugFree Idaho Youth Fest: Held at Hawks Memorial Stadium in Boise, this yearly event is sponsored by DrugFree Idaho and features vendors and activities for teens and their families.
- Bam Jam: A yearly 3-on-3 basketball tournament held on the streets of downtown Boise.
- Kamiah Youth Fest: This yearly prevention-focused event features food, vendors and activities for kids and families.
- Snake River Roaring Youth Jam: This three-day event is held every year along the greenbelt in Idaho Falls. Organized by the Idaho Falls Arts Council, this event features art, music and outdoor activities.
- National Night Out: Held during the month of August at parks across Idaho, this crime prevention fair is organized by local law enforcement and brings together a variety of community prevention organizations.
Special Events and Initiatives
The Idaho Meth Project organizes a select number of special events and outreach initiatives each year. These include new ad campaign launch events, fundraisers and contests. Examples include:Paint the State: In 2010, the Idaho Meth Project launched a statewide public art contest that leveraged the creativity and passion of Idaho's young people to communicate the risks of methamphetamine use. Hundreds of Idaho teens created more than 350 pieces of large-scale public artwork across Idaho's 44 counties. Teens mobilized friends, families, and communities, leading teams that painted the sides of public buildings, hung banners along highways, decorated store front windows, constructed teepees, and built art cars. More than 125 community organizations participated in the creation of Paint the State artwork, and over $135,000 in prize money was awarded to deserving Idaho teens.
Givin' Meth the Boot: The Idaho Meth Project has organized a series of Givin' Meth the Boot fundraising events to benefit this 501c3 non-profit organization. Past events in Idaho Falls have featured country music stars Lady Antebellum and Josh Turner. A Givin' Meth the Boot luncheon is held in Coeur d'Alene annually, with all proceeds benefiting the Idaho Meth Project. These events support the ongoing financial needs of the program while simultaneously leveraging local communities to spread the Not Even Once message.
