The Meth Effect

Series produced by University of Montana Journalism

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A reporting project by the University of Montana School of Journalism exploring what happens with families, the criminal justice system, addicts, counselors and others dealing with a surging meth problem.

There are three types of stories connected to this project. Those filed first are non-narrated profiles of people dealing directly with meth and its effects in Montana. They include intros and outros. Newer stories with traditional headlines are NPR-style narrated reports with multiple sources and have generic intros and outros. The hourlong special aired on Montana Public Radio. A more generic (with no mention of MTPR) is what's available for PRX member stations.


15 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
The Meth Effect
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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A deeply reported one-hour special that explores the ways a resurgence of meth use in Montana has affected families, cops, courts, lawmakers and ad...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 58:47
Jail Provides Some Addicts First Crack at Treatment
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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Reported news feature exploring how an explosion of arrests related to meth have stressed county jails and inspired treatment options. Produced by ...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 07:16
Drug Courts Offer Addicts Path to Get Clean
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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Deeply reported news feature going behind the bench at drug treatment court, a model approach that goes beyond punishment. Produced by Beau Baker a...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 11:08
Meth: The Gay Man's Drug
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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Research and anecdotes show meth has long been in use among gay men, but in rural states like Montana, that works differently than in big cities. R...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 05:27
On Fort Belknap Reservation, a DIY Approach to Recovery
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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News feature that profiles a first-of-its-kind recovery program for a meth and addiction problem that's only become worse on a northern Montana res...

Bought by WDBM


  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 08:31
  • Purchases: 1
Access to Addiction Treatment Presents Emerging Problem
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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Reported news feature exploring what happens when addicts can't get what almost anyone who works with them will tell you they need to get clean: lo...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 06:33
ERs: Frontline Centers for Meth Crisis
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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News feature exploring what happens when addicts needing acute care show up in emergency rooms in Montana. Produced by Matt Blois for a reporting p...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 06:07
One Family, One Addict
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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The story of a Montana mom, a dad and their daughter currently struggling with addiction. Produced by Aunica McCoulough for a reporting project at ...

  • Added: Jun 01, 2017
  • Length: 08:00
The Activist
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
Caption: Miranda Kirk, right., Credit: Nora Saks
“If you have somebody in your corner, that makes any kind of pain just a little mole hill instead of a mountain.” Miranda Kirk co-founded the Aanii...

  • Added: May 24, 2017
  • Length: 03:06
The Therapist
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
Caption: Jessica Hofer, Credit: courtesy Rocky Mountain Treatment Center
Before she started running the horse therapy program at Rocky Mountain Treatment Center in Great Falls, MT, Jessica Hofer was an addict. For her, s...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: Apr 07, 2017
  • Length: 02:37
  • Purchases: 1
The Sheriff
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
Caption: Sheriff Don Bell of Lake County, Credit: Corey Hockett
"Ninety percent of the time, they stored the meth lab in the baby's room." Sheriff Don Bell of Lake County, Montana, has seen enough as part of his...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: Apr 06, 2017
  • Length: 02:41
  • Purchases: 1
The Father of an Addict
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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"With having a child on drugs, especially meth, you have no control as a parent." This dad from the Bitterroot Valley of Montana has watched his da...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: Apr 06, 2017
  • Length: 03:33
  • Purchases: 1
The Researcher
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
Caption: Tracy Hellem, Credit: Cal Reynolds
"We're kind of in a place where our hands are tied." Tracy Hellem, an assistant professor of nursing in Montana, is among a select few who've tried...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: Apr 06, 2017
  • Length: 03:08
  • Purchases: 1
The Former Addict
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
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Rob grew up in Billings, Montana, as part of a family involved in trafficking meth and other drugs from Mexico. He started doing meth when he was 1...

Bought by WYAP


  • Added: Apr 04, 2017
  • Length: 03:28
  • Purchases: 1
The Judge
From: University of Montana Journalism
Series: The Meth Effect
Caption: Judge John Larson, Credit: Cal Reynolds
John Larson, a district court judge for Missoula and Mineral counties, established Montana's first juvenile drug treatment court in 1996. It combin...

Bought by KIDE Hoopa Tribal Radio 91.3fm and WYAP


  • Added: Mar 31, 2017
  • Length: 03:31
  • Purchases: 2