The Meth Project, founded by businessman and Montana rancher Tom Siebel, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on developing statewide and regional Meth prevention campaigns. The Meth Project founded, and currently manages, the activities and creative direction of a number of statewide Meth prevention efforts, including the Montana Meth Project, the Arizona Meth Project, the Illinois Meth Project, and the Wyoming Meth Project. The Meth Project is funded by a grant from the Siebel Foundation.
The Montana Meth Project has demonstrated significant results in changing attitudes and behaviors towards Meth since its inception in 2005 and was recently cited as a model prevention program for the nation by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Meth Project is working with states across the nation interested in replicating the program as part of their efforts to reduce the prevalence of methamphetamine use.
Recent survey data in Montana, where the Meth Project first initiated its prevention campaign in 2005, demonstrates attitudes and behaviors toward Meth have changed since the campaign launched. The Montana Attorney General has issued data showing that Meth use and related crime has been on the decline in this same timeframe.
RESULTS
MONTANA METH PROJECT SUMMARY RESULTS
The Problem
As of September 2005 Montana was overwhelmed by methamphetamine abuse:
- Montana ranked #5 in the nation for Meth abuse1
- 50% of inmates were incarcerated for Meth2
- 50% of foster-care admissions were Meth-related3
THE CAMPAIGN
From September 2005 through September 2007, the Meth Project sustained a large-scale, statewide prevention campaign spanning TV, radio, billboards, newspapers, and the Internet. This campaign included:
- 45,000 TV ads
- 35,000 radio ads
- 10,000 print impressions
- 1,000 billboards
IMPACT
Montana Market Results: 2005-2008
As of April 2008:
- Montana ranks #39 in the nation for Meth abuse4
- Teen Meth use has declined by 45%5
- Adult Meth use has declined by 72%6
- 62% decrease in Meth-related crime7
READ THE FULL REPORTS
1, 4 Office of National Drug Control Policy, Pushing Back Against Meth: A Progress Report on the Fight Against Methamphetamine in the United States. November 2006.
2, 3, 6, 7 Montana Attorney General, Mike McGrath. Methamphetamine in Montana: A Follow-up Report on Trends and Progress. April 2008.
5 Montana Office of Public Instruction, 2007 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey. September 2007.