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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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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
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
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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
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