Partnership Raises Drug Use Awareness

New campaign to spread anti-meth message.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Maui County and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America are working together to bring an anti-methamphetamine campaign to Maui County.

The Meth360 campaign kicked off last week Tuesday on Maui, with a press conference featuring several key figures including Mayor Charmaine Tavares.

“Our goal is to attack it from all angles,” said Jazmin Tinsley, BBBS Project Manager.

The campaign is targeting drug awareness by focusing on youth, caregivers, and parents. Workshops will provide professionals and parents with the necessary skill sets to help youth in dealing with exposure to drug use.

A workshop held on July 22 on Molokai drew interest from law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals, and individuals who work with youth. According to Tinsley, the attendees were key people in the community “with a lot of passion” towards combating drug use on the island and supporting the local youth.

BBBS Maui will be holding trainings on Maui from August 19 to 21, and will be setting dates for Molokai trainings soon. By employing positive prevention strategies that are provided in nurturing skills trainings, BBBS is hoping to help to support youth in combating drug use.

This is the first time BBBS has been outwardly involved in issues relating to substance abuse.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters has long recognized the epidemic proportions of substance abuse among our youth including tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana,” said Melissa Ross, BBBS Maui Executive Director in a press release. Working with youth on a daily basis, she added that with education and the support of partners, BBBS has the opportunity to show kids that crystal meth use “is not normal, or cool.”
For more information contact Jazmin Tinsley at 808-242-9754 ext. 204, or email jazmin@bbbsmaui.org.