Don't let film's anti-meth message disappear

The only real criticism we've heard about Tuesday night's broadcast of "Crystal Darkness: Meth's deadly assault on Nevada's Youth" is that it was not long enough.

The program highlights the chemistry of meth, including why it is so addictive and why it ages people so quickly and destroys their teeth. But even more powerful were the testimonies of people whose lives have been changed by meth. They include not only the victims, but their family members, among them Mayor Marv Teixeira and Sheriff Kenny Furlong.

It was not just another feel-good, don't-do-drugs program. It was a well-produced documentary featuring people whom you might have seen at the grocery store. And the unmistakable conclusion is that we as a community have to be unrelenting in getting meth out of our neighborhoods.

It's fortunate that the program won't be forgotten. The Carson City School District will be showing the film, and you can even buy a copy at the Web site www.crystaldarkness.com. At that site, you can also view a blog featuring the stories of meth users who watched the documentary and are now sharing their tales.

You can also watch it on Channel 26 several times, including Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Monday at 8 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Tuesday at 5 p.m.; and Wednesday at 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

As for its length, a half-hour was perfect. It may have had a far smaller audience had it tried to cover every aspect of the meth problem. But its intent was not to be the final word on meth.

It's just the beginning.