Faces of Meth

Faces of Meth

The "Faces of Meth" project is a public awareness campaign initiated by the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office in Oregon, United States. The campaign aims to educate the public, particularly young people, about the devastating effects of methamphetamine use on individuals' physical appearance and health. The project is renowned for its use of before-and-after photographs of individuals who have been arrested multiple times, showing the rapid and severe physical deterioration associated with methamphetamine addiction.

History

The "Faces of Meth" project was launched in 2004 by Deputy Bret King of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. The initiative began as a local effort to combat the rising methamphetamine epidemic in Oregon, particularly in Multnomah County.

Map of Oregon highlighting Multnomah County

The project quickly gained national and international attention due to the stark and shocking nature of the images used. These images were collected from booking photos of individuals arrested for methamphetamine-related offenses, showing the physical changes over time due to drug use.

Methodology

The "Faces of Meth" project involves collecting booking photographs of individuals at different stages of their methamphetamine addiction. These photographs are then presented in a side-by-side format to illustrate the physical toll of the drug. The images typically show significant changes such as:

• Severe weight loss
• Skin lesions and sores
• Tooth decay and loss ("meth mouth")
• Premature aging

The project also includes educational materials and presentations aimed at schools, community groups, and law enforcement agencies to raise awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine.

Impact

The "Faces of Meth" campaign has been credited with increasing public awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine. It has been used as a tool in drug prevention education, helping to deter potential users by showing the real-life consequences of addiction.

The campaign has inspired similar initiatives in other regions and has been featured in various media outlets, documentaries, and educational programs.

Criticism

While the "Faces of Meth" project has been praised for its impact, it has also faced criticism. Some argue that the campaign may stigmatize individuals struggling with addiction and that it focuses too heavily on physical appearance rather than addressing the underlying issues of substance abuse and the need for treatment and rehabilitation.

Also see

• Methamphetamine
• Substance abuse
• Drug addiction
• Public health campaigns