RESOURCES

Methamphetamine abuse leads to devastating medical, psychological, and social consequences. Adverse health effects include memory loss, aggression, psychotic behavior, heart damage, malnutrition, and severe dental problems.

Ask MethProject.org

Ask MethProject.org is an integrated campaign to reduce methamphetamine use. Central to the campaign is MethProject.org—an encyclopedic online source of information about Meth for teens—supported by new television, radio, print, online, mobile, and social media campaigns. A web-centric social network built around the theme "Ask MethProject.org," the campaign challenges teens to consider what they know about Meth, and equips them with facts, tools, and resources to understand the risks of the drug and influence their peers.

MethProject.org provides the immersive, multimedia experience teens have come to expect in the digital world. Organized around getting answers, speaking out, and taking action, MethProject.org addresses teens' most frequently asked questions about the physical, mental, and social effects of Meth use. Each question is answered with a range of content—more than 350 in all—from interactive facts, videos, animations, image galleries, polls and quizzes, to personal stories from users, their friends and family, and first-hand accounts from experts.

MethProject.org is the culmination of six years of campaign development and quantitative and qualitative research conducted with more than 50,000 teens and young adults, including 60 national and statewide surveys, and 112 focus groups.

MethProject.org also serves as a platform for teens to connect and share. In the Speak Up section of the site, teens can post their own messages about Meth through artwork, videos, stories, and photos, as well as comment on other teen submissions. Take Action provides ways for teens to get involved to prevent Meth use or find help, and showcases teen-led community action programs across the country.

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RISE ABOVE COLORADO

RISE ABOVE COLORADO IS A STATEWIDE ORGANIZATION EMPOWERING TEENS TO LIVE A LIFE FREE OF DRUG ABUSE.
Rise Above Colorado was created by a dedicated and passionate team from the Colorado Meth Project who are committed to helping teens learn about drug abuse so they can make empowered, positive, smart choices -- to lead the healthy life they deserve.

Rise Above Colorado’s efforts build on the success of the Colorado Meth Project’s “Not Even Once” campaign. Rise Above will maintain focus on methamphetamine abuse along with a new prescription drug initiative and general drug prevention resources in collaboration with The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national non-profit organization working to help families solve the problem of teen substance abuse. Utilizing best practices for public awareness and community outreach, Rise Above Colorado shapes teens’ attitudes and perceptions about drugs through proactive education programs, with an ultimate goal of reducing usage patterns.

Rise Above Colorado

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SCHOOL RESOURCES

Meth Prevention Lesson

The Meth Prevention Lesson provides teens in middle and high schools with the facts, tools, and resources to understand the risks of methamphetamine and to influence their peers. This standards-based lesson leverages MethProject.org, the definitive source on meth, and provides teachers with engaging, easy-to-use materials to lead a 45-minute class.

After the class, students will understand:

  • The short- and long-term effects associated with methamphetamine use
  • The danger and toxicity of the ingredients in Meth
  • The mechanisms of Meth addiction
  • The effects of Meth on the brain, body, relationships, and the community
  • The risks of trying Meth, even once
  • How to communicate the risks of Meth to their peers and take action to prevent Meth use

At the beginning of the 45-minute lesson students will assess their knowledge of Meth with the 6-statement "What Do You Know" Worksheet. The class then will explore these 6 statements through discussion of selected content on MethProject.org.

TEACHER MATERIALS

  1. Lesson Overview: a one-page summary of the Meth Prevention Lesson
  2. Teacher's Guide: step-by-step instructions for the teacher to lead students through an exploration of each topic. The guide includes instructions on the most impactful content on MethProject.org and suggested discussion questions
  3. What Do You Know: teacher key

STUDENT HANDOUTS

  1. What Do You Know: a one-page handout for students to reflect on 6 statements to gauge their knowledge of methamphetamine

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NOT PRESCRIBED LESSON

The Not Prescribed Lesson provides teens in middle and high schools with the science and the stories to understand the risks of misusing prescription drugs and the tools and resources to manage their own health as well as advocate for their peers’ health. This standards-based lesson leverages personal testimony from teens and their families through a compelling video and provides educators with a science-based interactive presentation to facilitate conversation and learning.

After facilitating the Not Prescribed Lesson, students will know and understand:

  • What prescription drugs are
  • Appropriate use of prescription drugs
  • Effects of prescription drug abuse
  • The developing brain
  • How positive and negative decisions affect the brain
  • Addiction and overdose risk factors
  • Healthy decision making
  • Six steps to Rise Above

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Not Prescribed Lesson

Not Prescribed Lesson

Not Prescribed Lesson

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

Media Smart Youth – Not Prescribed is a 3-4 week unit exploring the connection between media and drug use, fostering media literacy as an essential 21st Century skill for health, academic and career success. Adapted from The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think, and Be Active! Program Packet (2005), a promising practice for obesity prevention.

How to Be a Good Friend - Being a good friend is not always easy. It starts, though, with having a conversation and listening. Here are some tips and techniques to help students practice these skills so that they feel prepared for the difficult conversations. This lesson can stand alone, supplement Not Prescribed or the Meth Prevention Lesson, and is also included in the Media Smart Youth - Not Prescribed unit.

GET HELP

Are you feeling weighed down by pressures and don't know what to do? It might help if you talked to someone. There are a lot of great resources online. Here are just a few to get you started.

DO YOU OR A FRIEND NEED HELP DEALING WITH A DRUG OR ALCOHOL PROBLEM?

  • Above the Influence
    Above the Influence website helps teens stand up to negative pressures, or influences. The more aware you are of the influences around you, the better prepared you will be to face them, including the pressure to use drugs, pills, and alcohol. We're not telling you how to live your life, but we are giving you another perspective and the latest facts.
  • Drug Facts
    Get quick facts about drug risks.
  • NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
    Get more facts about the science behind drugs and addiction.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR PARENTS ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE?

  • When Your Parents Use Drugs
    Learn more about your parent’s drug use and answers to questions you might have.
  • The Medicine Abuse Project
    The Medicine Abuse Project website encourages parents, stakeholders and the public to take action: first, by talking with their kids about the dangers of abusing prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and second, by safeguarding and properly disposing of unused medications.
  • Alateen
    For more information and help.
  • SAMHSA
    Your parent can call SAMHSA for help.
    Call 1-800-662-HELP(4357), 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
  • Need free drug information or treatment in your area?
    SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
    For free resources or referrals to treatment, visit SAMSHA website to download information or to speak to someone now, call the help line.Call 1-800-662-HELP, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

HAVING TROUBLE COPING WITH PRESSURE AND WANT TO TALK TO A COUNSELOR RIGHT NOW?

  • Boys Town National Hotline
    Boys Town National Hotline is a 24-hour crisis, resource and referral line staffed by highly-trained counselors who can respond to your questions about family and school problems, pregnancy, suicide, chemical dependency, sexual and physical abuse. They also have a chat room staffed with trained counselors.Call 1-800-448-3000, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
  • Covenant House "NineLine" Hotline
    This is a general hotline for teens with any kind of problem from substance abuse to family and school problems to relationships, The Covenant House's expertise is in dealing with homeless and runaway youth.
    Call 1-800-999-9999, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
  • S.A.F.E. Alternatives
    Self-injury is known by many names, including self-abuse, cutting, self-mutilation, or deliberate self-harm. S.A.F.E. Alternatives is a nationally recognized group that provides counseling, treatment referrals, and resources if you need help. This toll-free 800 number is an information line, but hotline information is available on the S.A.F.E. website.
    Call 1-800-DONTCUT (366-8288), Available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
  • GirlsHealth.gov
    The goal of this site, provided by the Office of Women’s Health, is to provide advice to girls to help them remain healthy physically and mentally. The site provides useful information on health issues, relationships, nutrition, and dealing with stress.
  • Cool Spot
    This Web site is focused on helping younger teens get the facts on underage drinking and avoiding alcohol. The site is provided by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

WARNING SIGNS OF METH USE

Recognizing the signs of Meth use is a first step in intervention. If the person you are concerned about is exhibiting a majority of the behaviors described below, they may need your help. Not every user will display all of these symptoms and other illicit drugs may also cause similar behaviors.

Signs may include:

  • Changes in physical appearance including deteriorating hair, skin, or teeth
  • Obsessively picking at hair or skin
  • Excessive sweating that's not from heat or physical activity
  • Letting themselves go physically, and not showering or caring how they look
  • Decreased appetite and unhealthy weight loss
  • Dilated pupils and rapid eye movement
  • Unusual or foul body odor; some may smell like ammonia
  • Burn marks on fingers or mouth
  • Strange sleeping patterns; staying up for days or even weeks
  • Jerky, erratic movements, twitching, facial tics, animated, or exaggerated mannerisms and incessant talking
  • Does repetitive, meaningless tasks like disassembling electronics or other household items for no apparent reason
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia like glass pipes, burnt spoons, cutoff straws, or needles
  • Borrowing money often, selling possessions, or stealing
  • Angry outbursts, mood swings, or overall change in attitude
  • Acting paranoid or talking about being in danger, even though there is no reason to feel threatened
  • Psychotic behavior characterized by paranoia and hallucinations
Get help immediately by calling 1-800-448-3000 (24 hours a day / 7 days a week) or if you suspect that someone you care about is an immediate danger to themselves or others, do not hesitate to contact 911.

COLORADO METH PROJECT

Thank your for your interest in the Colorado Meth Project. For more information on how you can become involved in our work against Meth, visit the Get Involved page or contact us directly.

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