New meth campaign to focus on Southern Illinois

The Southern Illinoisan
March 25, 2010

By The Southern Staff

Illinois' 15 southernmost counties will be the target of the Illinois Sheriffs' Association third METH campaign, an awareness initiative launched in 2006 with the aid of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, to combat methamphetamine manufacturing and use.

The campaign is getting $250,000 to continue educating people about the dangers and consequences of using and making meth, ISA Director Greg Sullivan said.

Organizers decided to focus on Southern Illinois this year, because many sheriffs in the region felt the issue wasn't getting the attention it needed, said ISA President Brent Fischer, sheriff of Adams County.

Television and radio ads, as well as billboards on highways and posters in school will be used to promote the campaign slogan, "Not Even Once," which stresses that using methamphetamine only one time can lead to other dangerous or illegal activities.