Gov. Rounds Speaks with Students on the Dangers of Meth

Press Release

Gov. Mike Rounds will speak to students and community members at four high schools across South Dakota on May 1 and May 3 to highlight the state's continued campaign against methamphetamine use. The campaign, entitled Face Facts: Meth Makes You Ugly, directly targets high school and junior high students to make them clearly understand how meth destroys their bodies and their minds.

Tuesday, May 1 schedule:
8:30 a.m. (MT) Pine Ridge School
11:00 a.m. (MT) Faith School

Thursday, May 3 schedule:
10:00 a.m. (CT) Aberdeen Central School
1:00 p.m. (CT) Ipswich School

"We must face the facts, meth makes you ugly," said Gov. Rounds. "Meth use is high in South Dakota, especially by our 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."

During the events, Gov. Rounds and Jeremy Bucholz, a former meth user, manufacturer and now a member of the Statewide Methamphetamine Task Force, will spend approximately 45 minutes with high school students, discussing the dangers of meth use. There will be a question and answer period at each location.

"The timing of this message is important now around proms, graduations and during the summer months," said Gov. Rounds. "The goal is to stop teens from even trying meth in the first place."

The campaign began in April 2006 when "Face Facts" banners were sent to every middle school and high school in South Dakota. Gov. Rounds followed that up with a series of personal visits to South Dakota schools to spend time with students discussing how meth destoys their bodies and lives. Meth prevention information was also made available during the South Dakota State Fair.

The latest addition in the fight against meth is the creation of a new Web site at www.MethSpace.com. Visitors will view Katie's page and her story of how meth affected all areas of her life. For more information about the campaign, visit www.mappsd.org. MAPP-SD, a project of Prairie View Prevention Services, Inc., is a comprehensive Methamphetamine awareness and prevention project.

Source