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The
problem of methamphetamine abuse took center stage on
May 30 when 12 Las Vegas television stations took the unprecedented step to
simulcast the “Crystal Darkness” documentary without
interruption.
It
is estimated that 163,000 people 18 and older watched
the special, which was covered on channels 3, 5, 8, 10,
13 and Cox Cable channels 2, 4, 19, 21 and 96. The
area’s two Spanish-speaking channels 15 and 39 also
aired the documentary.
The
rise of methamphetamine use has leaders across the state
concerned about its consequences on families and society
at large, and its impact on government services and law
enforcement. Public officials fighting this problem
believe educating the public is a key component in
fighting off the “meth” problem.
“We
can't arrest our way out of this problem,” Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Doug Gillespie
said. “It takes parents who care about their children
to educate themselves and their kids about the dangers
of meth."
The
effort to fight “meth” abuse stretches all the way
to the governor’s mansion, where First Lady Dawn
Gibbons has been trying to bring attention to the issue.
“It
takes a collective effort on the part of the community
to address such a monumental problem,” Gibbons said.
“It is my hope that by educating people with the facts
we arm them with the tools for change.”
Officials
from the public and private sector gathered for a news
conference on May 21 to bring attention to the Crystal
Darkness campaign. Gibbons and Sheriff Gillespie were
joined by Pastor Tony Martinez of the Community
Interfaith Council, Nevada State Attorney General
Catherine Cortez Masto, Clark County Commission Chairman
Rory Reid, and Clark County School Superintendent Walter
Rulffes.
The
“Crystal Darkness” documentary details the
devastating effects of methamphetamine on users who are
in jail and recovering. Martinez said the documentary
should be a wakeup call for everyone.
“To
the community, this is a call to responsibility,” he
said. “To the person of faith, this is a call to
revival."
As
the largest agency in the state dealing with the
problems caused by methamphetamine abuse, the county
finds itself dealing with the fallout at many levels –
from medical and emergency services to family and social
services.
“If
you have children, this affects you,” Reid said. “If
you worry about the growing crime rate, this affects
you. If you pay taxes, this issue affects you. Everyone
should watch this and learn. We can’t afford to ignore
this ugly problem.”
Cortez
Masto, who chairs the Governor’s Working Group on
Methamphetamine Use, commended everyone involved in
coordinating such a massive public education campaign.
“By
working together, we can develop a comprehensive
strategy to combat the devastating effects of
methamphetamine use in our communities,” Cortez Masto
said. “Participating Southern Nevada television
stations should be commended for continuing the fight
against methamphetamine use by airing this documentary.
This will help better educate our citizens of the
dangers of methamphetamine use.”
“Crystal
Darkness” will be replayed on Clark County Television
(CCTV) Channel 4 on the following dates and times: June
1 at 10 a.m.; June 2 at 2 p.m.; June 3 at 8 p.m.; June 4
at 9:30 a.m.; June 5 at 6:30 p.m.; June 6 at 7:30 p.m.;
June 7 at 3:30 p.m.; June 8 at 10 a.m.; June 9 at 2
p.m.; June 10 at 8 p.m.; June 11 at 9:30 a.m.; June 12
at 6:30 p.m.; June 13 at 7:30 p.m.; June 14 at 3:30
p.m.; June 15 at 10 a.m.; June 16 at 2 p.m.; and June 17
at 8 p.m.
Since
all CCTV programming is streamed online, the documentary
also may be viewed at the aforementioned dates and
times at www.accessclarkcounty.com.
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