Today, November 30, has been declared National Methamphetamine Awareness Day as a part of a nationwide effort to further educate the American public about the effects of methamphetamine abuse on families and communities. The effort hopes to increase awareness and decrease demand of the highly-addictive drug.

More than 100 events are scheduled across the United States today by federal, state and local officials to highlight education and public outreach efforts about methamphetamine abuse. President Bush issued a proclamation declaring the first ever National Methamphetamine Awareness Day.

The awareness day is an effort to send a prevention message to potential meth users and to educate current users about programs that are available to them, according to a Department of Justice news release.

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales will host a panel discussion with leading experts to discuss the impact that meth production and use has on individuals, the environment and communities across the country.

Also participating in the National Methamphetamine Awareness Day efforts are the U.S. Department of Labor; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; U.S. Department of Interior; Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America; Fraternal Order of Police; National District Attorneys Association; National Association of Attorneys General; National Sheriffs' Association; International Association of Chiefs of Police; National Organization for Victims Assistance; Inter-Association Task Force on Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse Issues; American Council on Education; National Association of Student Personnel Administrators; American College Health Association; Association of Fraternity Advisors; and the National Panhellenic Conference.

More Information:

• National Methamphetamine Awareness Day Events
  
• Basic Facts About Methamphetamine
  
• The Health Effects of Methamphetamine
  
• A Child Eye's View of Meth Abuse
  
• The Face of Meth Use

^{Photo: DEA}