'Crystal Darkness' documentary airs to portrays Meth dangers

The following information was submitted by the Crystal Darkness c ampaign:

PHOENIX - Crystal Darkness, the 30-minute documentary on Crystal Meth and the young people who have gone through the dark and lonely depths of Meth addiction, aired on television and radio stations across Arizona tonight.

In conjunction with the documentary the campaign operated a call center at the Phoenix Convention Center from 3:00p.m. – 11:00p.m. The help hotline number, 1-888-METH-AID, scrolled across television screens and over radio airwaves periodically throughout the documentary. Residents around Arizona phoned in to the center requesting information, to report a crime and looking for help.

Phones at the center remained relatively dormant until the Spanish language broadcast hit the airwaves at 5:00p.m. Within seconds of the hotline number scrolling across television screens the phones began ringing.

At 6:30p.m. the program aired on all English-language television stations and many radio stations across the state. Immediately a steady stream of calls were taken by volunteers.
Volunteers were trained to raise three different colored paddles when receiving certain types of phone calls including; crisis, law enforcement such as reporting a meth lab or requesting other police services, and bi-lingual operators. Throughout the evening volunteers manned the roughly 100 phone lines and helped victims across the state.

This release is a record of calls received as of 8:30p.m. at the Arizona Crystal Darkness call center in the Phoenix Convention Center.

Calls Received by 8:30p.m. and Breakdown
-353 total calls
-144 seeking treatment for themselves or family members
-13 requiring immediate crisis attention
-20 crime tips and requests of law enforcement

About Arizona Crystal Darkness

On April 15, 2008, from 6:30p.m. – 7:00p.m. nearly every network-affiliated and independent Arizona television station simultaneously broadcasted a shocking and in-depth documentary on the dangers of Crystal Meth. Spanish-language stations aired the program from 5:00p.m. – 5:30p.m.

Crystal Darkness is told through the powerful testimonies of young people who have gone through the dark and lonely depths of Meth addiction. With heart wrenching and raw honesty, they speak to their generation with an unforgettable message of warning. The program is targeted for youths and their parents, but the message extends with conviction to an entire community and throughout the nation.

All participating television and radio stations donated the half-hour time period and preempted their regularly scheduled programming in order to air the commercial-free program. The Crystal Darkness Campaign is a unique collaboration between local media, schools, law enforcement, recovery specialists, faith organizations and the business community. These organizations work together to help victims, create awareness and prevent drug use