LIHU‘E — The James & Abigail Campbell Family Foundation and James Campbell Company donated $300,000 to the Hawai‘i Meth Project, a press release states. The Hawai‘i Meth Project is a nonprofit prevention program seeking to significantly reduce first-time meth use
LIHU‘E — The James & Abigail Campbell Family Foundation and James Campbell Company donated $300,000 to the Hawai‘i Meth Project, a press release states.
The Hawai‘i Meth Project is a nonprofit prevention program seeking to significantly reduce first-time meth use in the state through public-service messaging, public policy and community outreach.
“With the alarming rate of meth use in Hawai‘i today, it is imperative to arm young adults in our state with the tools they need to make well-informed decisions when presented with the opportunity to try methamphetamine,” said Jonathan Staub and Wendy Crabb, board members of the James Abigail Campbell Family Foundation.
“The Hawai‘i Meth Project is an outstanding program and the Foundation is pleased to be able to support its efforts,” they said.
Launched in June 2009, the Hawai‘i Meth Project aims to reduce methamphetamine use among those ages 12 to 24, with the core message, “Not Even Once.”
Currently, Hawai‘i is ranked fifth in the nation for meth use among young people age 12 and older. More than $500 million is spent annually in the state on meth-related costs including emergency-room visits, incarceration and rehabilitation.
“With the devastating effects meth use has on our community, it’s time that we join together to fight this growing problem,” said Richard Dahl, chief executive officer of the James Campbell Company.
“We hope that our donation will encourage other businesses to come forward and support the Hawai‘i Meth Project’s efforts to prevent meth use among teenagers and young adults in Hawai‘i.”
The Hawai‘i Meth Project needs to raise $2.8 million in private funding in 2010 and 2011 to sustain the program throughout 2013.
Since its inception, the program has made significant headway in raising meth awareness among Hawai‘i’s young people, contributing to a considerable decline in first-time users.
The project’s research-based, high-impact advertising graphically portrays the ravages of meth use, reaching 70 percent to 90 percent of teens statewide, three to five times a week, with prevention messaging.
See www.hawaiimethproject.org for more information or to make a donation.
