¡¡¡¡PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Meth Project today released the results of the first-ever national survey examining the attitudes and behaviors that American teens have toward methamphetamine. The survey, gathered from a representative group of junior and senior high school students from throughout the United States, found that nearly a quarter of teens believe Meth is easy to obtain, and one in 10 have been offered the drug. More than half said they had never discussed the subject of Meth with their parents.

    The new survey also found that teen perceptions of methamphetamine could put a significant number of them at risk of using the drug. One in three see little danger in trying Meth and one in four perceive benefit in using it, including dealing with boredom and weight loss. 42% of respondents said their friends would not give them a hard time if they used the drug.

    "These findings show that too many U.S. teens are unaware of the dangers of taking Meth," said Meth Project executive director Nitsa Zuppas. "The reality is that Meth is a deadly and debilitating drug. We know if people are well informed that Meth use declines dramatically."

    The Meth Project periodically conducts statewide research to better understand teen attitudes toward methamphetamine and track trends and changes over time. This is the first survey of its kind to be conducted at the national level.

    "The 2007 National Meth Use & Attitudes Survey is an important contribution to the body of knowledge about Meth usage, attitudes, and societal norms related to methamphetamine," said Dr. Rick Rawson, associate director of Integrated Substance Abuse Programs at UCLA and one of the nation''s foremost experts on methamphetamine.

    The 2007 National Meth Use & Attitudes Survey was executed from March 16, 2007 through June 6, 2007 by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. The survey group consisted of 2,602 12-17-year-old junior and senior high school students who attend one of 43 randomly selected schools across the United States. The complete report can be obtained on the Meth Project''s website at http://www.methproject.org/research.

    About the Meth Project

    The Meth Project is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, California, aimed at significantly reducing first-time Meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. The Montana Meth Project, Arizona Meth Project, Idaho Meth Project and other state affiliates implement the Meth Project prevention programs in their respective states. The Meth Project is funded by a grant from the Siebel Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.methproject.org.

    Media Contacts: Jessica del Mundo Sarah Ingram GolinHarris GolinHarris 213-438-8772 213-438-8721 jdelmundo@golinharris.com singram@golinharris.com Survey Highlights

    Findings from the 2007 National Meth Use & Attitudes Survey revealed that teens in the United States are unaware of the dangers of methamphetamine use, see potential benefits in taking Meth, find the drug readily available, and have limited discussions about Meth with their peers or parents. The following highlights some of the survey''s principal findings in three key areas -- Availability and Usage, Perceptions of Meth, and Social Approval.

    All statistics are sourced from the 2007 National Meth Use & Attitudes Survey report, which is available at http://www.methproject.org/research.

    Availability and Usage -- 24% of teens say it would be "very" or "somewhat easy" for them to acquire Meth. -- 77% of teens who had tried Meth reported they first used the drug when they were age 15 or younger. -- One in 10 teens says that someone has offered them, or tried to get them to try, Meth at some time in their lives. -- 16% of teens -- about one in six -- have either a friend or a family member who has used, or been treated for using Meth. Perceptions of Methamphetamine -- One in three teens sees little to no risk in trying Meth once or twice, and 15% say that there is no risk in taking the drug regularly. Teens believe that experimenting with Meth is less dangerous than trying cocaine or heroin. -- Roughly one in four teens believe that there are benefits to using Meth -- 24% of teens believe that using Meth "makes you feel euphoric or very happy." -- 23% of teens believe that Meth "helps you lose weight." -- 22% of teens believe that using Meth "helps you deal with boredom." -- 18% of teens believe that Meth "gives you energy." Social Approval -- 76% of teens voice "strong" disapproval of trying Meth even once or twice. -- 42% of teens say their friends would not give them a "hard time" if they were to use Meth, and more than half say they have not told their friends to avoid the drug. -- 55% of teens say they have never discussed the subject of Meth with their parents.

    Source: The Meth Project
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