Pahoa High &Intermediate School will host representatives from the Hawaii Meth Project next week as part of the organization’s observation of the inaugual National Meth Awareness Week.
Since 2009, the nonprofit has worked to spread the word about the dangers of methamphetamine use and abuse to Hawaii’s most at-risk residents: teenagers, said executive director David Earles.
“There are so many risk factors that teens struggle with — so many things that us adults would never have even dreamed of when we were that age,” he said.
Over the past several years, project organizers recognized a Meth Awareness Day to draw attention to the dangers of meth. But, Earles said, this year the team partnered with multiple local, state and national organizations, as well, and extended the event from one day to an entire week. Each day, representatives will visit with schools on each of the Hawaiian Islands to spread their message, answer questions, and find out from teenagers how they can do a better job.
“We really have two specific things we’re looking to do,” Earles said. “No. 1, we want to understand our success since we started in 2009. How are we doing? And No. 2, we want to understand how we should tweak our message to be more effective.”
Essentially, Earles said, the group works to explain to teens just how addictive and dangerous methamphemanine can be. That’s why the Hawaii Meth Project has adopted its slogan: “Meth: Not Even Once.”
“Meth is the most addictive drug out there,” he said. “If a person is using it, there’s a very good chance that they’re already addicted. … Our goal is to innoculate the kids to meth before they become adults and get into the workforce.
“This is a drug that you can’t just hope nobody tries. This is the drug we have to make sure nobody tries.”
Teens living on Hawaii Island and the other neighbor islands are especially in danger of trying meth because of the fact that they may have fewer options for entertainment when they have spare time, Earles said.
“I saw a survey recently that said that Oahu has a smaller percentage of meth abuse among teens than any of the other neighbor islands. It stands to reason, because the more activities a kid has, the less apt they are to go toward the bad (activities).
“I’ve been to Hilo five times in the past three months making presentations, and the kids tell me there’s not a lot to do. When there’s not much to do, kids gravitate toward trouble. We want to make sure they understand the dangers and not try it out of boredom. … We want to unsell meth to kids.”
To that end, the Hawaii Meth Project will present a series of classes and activities at Pahoa High beginning at 8 a.m. Friday. Program organizers will share a number of the organization’s television and radio advertisements with the students, as well as present them with some of the facts about meth.
Then, beginning at 10:15 a.m., students will be asked to participate in a lunch recess rally, featuring an obstacle course organized by the Hawaii Police Department. Hawaii Meth Project will also operate a booth where students can participate in activities and sign a pledge to live a meth-free lifestyle.
Next, a school-wide assembly in the gymnasium will be aimed at reinforcing the lessons presented earlier in the day, while giving students a first-hand account from an East Hawaii man who is recovering from meth addiction.
The day will come to a close with a sign-waving event held in front of the school from 12:55-1:30 p.m.
For more information on the Hawaii Meth Project, visit www.HawaiiMethProject.org.
Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.