The press annoucement for Crystal Darkness Oklahoma came in the fall of 2008. It was picked up by dozens of media outlets from print, television and radio across Oklahoma. Here are just a few of those stories.

Oklahoma campaign funds meth treatment

The Oklahoman

By Michael McNutt
09/30/08

A new battle is beginning against methamphetamine in Oklahoma.

Four years after the state passed a law to crack down on makeshift methamphetamine laboratories, state leaders Monday announced plans to help Oklahomans get treatment and to avoid taking the drug in the first place.

"The battle is far from over," said first lady Kim Henry, co-chairman of the Crystal Darkness Campaign, as more than a dozen state and local officials stood behind her. "We stand here today to say, 'We've had enough.'

"We're no longer manufacturing it here in Oklahoma, but we're still getting it imported into Oklahoma, and there's still a demand for the usage."

What's the program?

The campaign will highlight education, prevention, recovery and hope, "to let folks know that their life can get back on track," Henry said.

The campaign, announced during a state Capitol news conference, is modeled after programs in Nevada, California, Oregon and Arizona.

Others supporting the effort include Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Darrell Weaver, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, Mental Health Commissioner Terri White and state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett.

How to get involved

It's hoped the airing of a documentary on all Oklahoma TV stations and some radio stations will rally residents to get involved by holding town hall meetings to talk about meth in their communities, said Wes Lane, a former Oklahoma County district attorney and co-chairman of the campaign.

The 30-minute documentary, to air at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13, will feature Oklahomans talking about the effects of methamphetamine.

Call centers will be set up across Oklahoma during the documentary's airing for Oklahoma residents who think they or a loved one needs help.

Viewers can call 211 the night of the documentary and a few days afterward to receive help.

They also will be able to call to report meth activity in their communities.  

Meth documentary's debut set for January

Tulsa World
By Barbara Hoberock  
9/30/2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — State officials launched a public awareness campaign Monday to reduce meth use.

A 30-minute documentary, "Crystal Darkness Oklahoma," will air on every Oklahoma television station at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13.

The program, which is modeled after efforts in other states, will focus on education, prevention, recovery and hope, said Kim Henry, the state's first lady and the co-chairwoman of the Crystal Darkness Oklahoma campaign.

Call centers will be set up during the program for those who think they or a loved one needs help or to report meth activity. The centers may be reached by calling 211.

Henry and the campaign's co-chairman, former Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane, called on civic groups, schools, churches and communities to organize watch parties.

To schedule a watch party or learn more about the program, go online to tulsaworld.com/crystaldarknessok.

Lane said that during his years as a prosecutor he saw thousands of future lives go to ashes because of meth use.

"Meth is one of the most addictive substances known to man," he said.

A film crew visited the state two weeks ago, meeting with young people who had been incarcerated and widows of law enforcement officers who were slain by meth users, he said.

The end product will bring a message of reality and hope, he said.

Lane said he hoped the event would become one of the largest viewing activities in the state's history.

After the video is aired, the second phase of the project will involve town hall meetings to deal with the meth problem. Meth action teams will be available to go to communities to describe effective ways of dealing with meth addictions, Lane said.

The goal of the documentary and community outreach program is to educate the state about the ravages of meth addiction and give communities the tools to fight back, he said.