Christians energize Oct. 9 media campaign against meth addiction

By JOHN FORTMEYER

CNNW publisher

   PORTLAND — What sparked big attention in Nevada earlier this year — including the notice of a visiting Northwest resident — is leading to a huge Portland-area media campaign this month energized largely by local Christians.
The goal of the campaign, which focuses on a television special that will air simultaneously on several local stations Oct 9 – is to stem the growing plague of methamphetamine addiction.
At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, a 30-minute documentary titled Crystal Darkness will air on KATU Channel 2, KOIN Channel 6, KGW Channel 8, KPTV Channel 12, KRCW Channel 32 and KPDX Channel 49, as well as Channel 14 on Comcast Cable’s Portland system. Other stations will be added throughout Oregon.
Methamphetamine first appeared in Oregon in the early 1980s. Since that time, meth addiction has grown and is considered an epidemic by law enforcement agencies and concerned communities. Jim White, a Portland-area businessman who is active in the ministry Christ@Work, is spearheading the local campaign that highlights the perils of meth and reaches out to people struggling with addiction.
The Crystal Darkness Campaign originated in Nevada and was a unique collaboration between local media, government leaders, schools, law enforcement, recovery specialists, churches and the business community. Because of the publicity leading up to the airing of Crystal Darkness last January, it is believed to be the most-watched TV program in Nevada history.
Furthermore, in Las Vegas, thousands of students received brochures designed for discussion with parents and friends. The same will be true for the Oregon campaign, with nearly 2 million pieces of literature being printed for statewide distribution.
Initial response to the documentary in Nevada was dramatic, with countless families and individuals watching. Hundreds of addicts called in for assistance as well as others seeking more information.
Bernard Mares, a steel company owner who is active in the Portland Christ@Work group, said White happened to visit Nevada last January and saw the impact the telecast was having there. White came back and persuaded others at Christ@Work to see the campaign come to Oregon as well.
Mares said the ministry is pleased to have a hand in confronting the meth problem here. “This is a huge problem; we have to face it,” he said.
Already the owners of the TV stations are providing together at least $750,000 worth of donated air time for the campaign, he said.
A 60-phone call center is being set up for the night the documentary airs in Oregon, and dozens of local churches and Union Gospel Mission of Portland are among those committing to respond to the needs of those who are struggling with meth addiction and who phone in, said Mares.
He said the TV campaign is a first step in mobilizing Oregon communities to fight back and protect youth and neighborhoods from the horrors of meth addictiion. For more information, phone Mares at 503-358-6911.