Gov. Rounds Works to Stop Meth Epidemic in South Dakota
Gov. Rounds Works to Stop Meth Epidemic in South Dakota
Gov. Mike Rounds will kick-off the state's latest effort, Face Facts: Meth Makes You Ugly, a campaign to curb the growing methamphetamine problem. The Governor will visit five South Dakota high schools on May 3-4, 2006.
May 3 schedule:
8:30 a.m. (CT) Canton High School gymnasium
11:30 a.m. (CT)Watertown High School - DD Miller Auditorium
2:15 p.m. (CT) Sisseton High School gymnasium
May 4 schedule:
11 a.m. (CT) Todd County High School gymnasium
2 p.m. (MT) Sturgis High School gymnasium
During the events, Gov. Rounds and Jeremy Bucholz, a former meth user, producer and member of the Statewide Methamphetamine Task Force, will spend approximately 45 minutes with high school students, discussing how meth destroys their bodies and their minds. They will also allow time for questions.
"We must face the facts," said Gov. Rounds. "Meth use is increasing in South Dakota, especially in high school age students. Nine percent of our female 10th graders have tried meth; 12 percent of our 11th grade girls have used it. Our youth must be educated about the harmful and addictive effects of this terrible drug."
The Face Facts project targets high school and junior high students. The posters associated with the project focus on the truths about Meth and draw attention to the mental and physical destruction that occurs when using the drug. Each South Dakota high school and junior high school will receive posters in time for the campaign kick off. The anti-meth advertising will continue into the 2006-2007 school year with new posters and enhanced awareness activities.
This campaign is another project of our state's Methamphetamine Task Force. The task force, comprised of community leaders, prevention and treatment specialists, and health care professionals has been at work for two years.
Gov. Rounds will also take part in a South Dakota Focus discussion about the meth epidemic. The program will be broadcast on South Dakota Public Broadcasting on May 25.
For more information about the campaign, visit www.mappsd.org. If you are interested in receiving additional materials or would like a Meth prevention speaker to visit your organization, call South Dakota's METH Awareness and Prevention Project, 800-343-9272.
http://www.state.sd.us/governor/