NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2006 -- Thursday, November 30, 2006 is National Meth Awareness Day. Officials from the Department of Justice (including U.S. Attorneys, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and the Drug Enforcement Administration) will be hosting presentations around the country in an effort to educate the public on the dangers of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, illicit stimulant that can be made from relatively inexpensive, over-the-counter ingredients. While meth directly harms those who use it, it also affects numerous families and communities across the country. Thousands of children are neglected every year after living with parents, family members or caregivers who are meth users or meth cooks.  Meth can also cause environmental damage -- for each pound of meth produced, five to six pounds of hazardous waste are generated, posing immediate and long-term environmental health risks.

The Partnership, along with Department of Labor, Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with the Department of Justice to spread the word about meth.

For more information about methamphetamine, visit our Meth Information and Resource Center, download our Meth Fact Sheets, or watch video stories and photo essays about people who have been addicted to methamphetamine. 

In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice has developed a comprehensive educational presentation called Meth 101 designed to educate the general public about meth, how it is made, effects on users, and the dangers it poses to the community, particularly to children and the environment, which can be viewed in both video and PowerPoint form. Meth 101 is for anyone to use – mothers, college students, professionals, etc. There is also a presentation specifically tailored to women available for download.

If you are interested in upcoming programs in your area, contact your local U.S. Attorneys Office or DEA Office.

For more information about National Meth Awareness Day, visit the United States Department of Justice.