PHX11, the city’s news and information station, will participate in a regional simulcast of “Crystal Darkness,” a meth documentary on Tuesday, April 15, along with nearly every network-affiliated and independent Arizona television station in the state. The stations will simultaneously broadcast the in-depth documentary on the dangers of crystal meth from 6:30 – 7 p.m.
The 30-minute gripping documentary will give residents across the state the opportunity to change attitudes and save lives. The story is told through powerful testimonies of young people who have gone through the dark and lonely depths of meth addiction. With heart-wrenching and raw honesty, they speak to their generation with an unforgettable message of warning. The program is targeted for youths and their parents, but the message extends with conviction to an entire community and throughout the nation. The images and stories shared in the documentary are both shocking and scary.
Broadcast, radio and print media across the state (English-language and Spanish-language) have endorsed the mission of “Crystal Darkness” and pledged their support. This is the first time the program will be aired in both English and Spanish. All participating television and radio stations are donating the half-hour time period and preempting their regularly scheduled programming in order to air the commercial-free program.
Originally spearheaded by the crime stopping, nonprofit organization Silent Witness, the Crystal Darkness Campaign is a unique collaboration between local media, schools, law enforcement, recovery specialists, faith organizations and the business community. These organizations work together to help victims, create awareness and prevent drug use. Law enforcement officials are particularly energized to add another component to their fight against illegal substance use.
While the documentary airs, dozens of professionally trained volunteers will be standing by to receive and refer phone calls from families and victims seeking help against this horrible drug. The hotline number hosted by Childhelp, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children, is 1-888-METH-AID.
The PHX11 coverage will consist of replaying the documentary back-to-back from 6:30 – 8 p.m. with a series of local interviews in between the shows from Phoenix Police Commander Chris Crockett who will discuss the dangers of the drug and its impact on our community. PHX11 Station Manager Deborah Sedillo Dugan also will discuss why the station is committed to this documentary. The station helped spearhead statewide coordination for all government channels to air the program. In addition, PHX11 and other government channels will be able to replay the program throughout the year because the phone bank will be answered for the next 12 months. To learn more about the Crystal Darkness Campaign in Arizona and across the nation visit cyrstaldarkness.com. For documentary replay times on PHX11, visit phoenix.gov/11 or call 602-261-8937.
