The Montana Meth Project and HBO today announced a new documentary entitled Montana Meth, a one-hour film that takes an unflinching look at the debilitating impact of methamphetamine use. The documentary is scheduled to air nationally on HBO on March 18, 2007. It will also premiere February 15 as a featured selection at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in Missoula, Mont., where it will be the centerpiece of the festival's opening night.

Montana Meth, conceived and executive produced by Thomas M. Siebel, Montana Meth Project Founder and Vice-chairman, offers a rare and revealing look at the tragic consequences of methamphetamine use. From the teen mother who recounts an addiction so powerful that she continued to use even while nine months pregnant, to the treatment workers who speak of their struggles to wean young addicts off of the drug, the film's personal approach makes it gripping and unique.

"We wanted to show firsthand the impact of Meth upon the community, to show the lives Meth has destroyed, to delve deeper into the subject than ever before," said Siebel. "It is our hope that this film will raise awareness of the realities of Meth and prove an effective tool in furthering the cause of prevention."

The Montana Meth Project collaborated with HBO on the film as part of the organization's mission to raise awareness of the dangers of methamphetamine use. Meth has been cited by law enforcement officials as the leading crime problem in America and has reached epidemic proportions in many states, including Montana, which ranks second in adult and teenage use nationwide. Meth is readily available throughout the nation and new, more potent strains of the drug are taking a huge toll across all ethnic and economic populations.

Montana Meth was directed by award-winning director Eames Yates. He and his production team were commissioned by the Meth Project to come to Montana in 2005 and 2006, where they captured the stories behind the statistics.

"This was a difficult and disturbing film to make, as most of the Meth users we encountered were quite young and heavily strung out," said Yates. "The saddest part was interviewing the families of the addicts, the innocent bystanders, if you will, of Meth. I was equally moved and impressed by the determination of Montana law enforcement officers and health care professionals dedicated to saving lives and eradicating Meth use statewide. We found these stories in Montana, but they mirror what is going on in the rest of the country."

The Montana Meth Project is the largest advertiser in the state of Montana with an ongoing public awareness campaign that has garnered national attention for its direct and innovative approach. A recent report by the Montana Attorney General found that the Meth Project has had a significant positive impact, with Meth use and related crime declining dramatically since the program's inception two years ago. Such results are causing other states to take notice.

"Montana is not alone in grappling with staggering economic and social costs resulting from widespread Meth abuse," said Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. "Folks at the Montana Meth Project have made great progress in stemming the tide and we are working closely with them to bring this effective program to Idaho. This film puts a face on a problem that all too often is conveyed with statistics, and a number of the images it shows continue to haunt me."

Montana Meth will premiere on HBO2, March 18 at 11 p.m. EST, as part of the network's "Addiction" series. Check local cable listings for details.

Montana Meth will be featured at the Big Sky Film Festival, selected for the festival's opening night screening, on February 15. Tickets to the screening are free to the public and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, including showtimes and a full festival schedule, visit the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival's Web site at www.bigskyfilmfest.org.

About the Montana Meth Project

The Montana Meth Project is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Missoula, Montana. The Montana Meth Project implements a range of advertising and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state. The Meth Project is funded by a grant from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. For more information, visit www.montanameth.org.