CPT12 Pressroom

DENVER – December 29, 2008 – PBS Channel 12 will join Colorado television stations in airing Crystal Darkness, a 30-minute documentary on crystal methamphetamine on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 6:30 p.m. – and will follow up with its weekly call-in program, Studio 12, at 7 p.m.

The Crystal Darkness documentary, an integral piece of the Telly and Emmy award-winning Childhelp Crystal Darkness Campaign, includes Governor Bill Ritter, First Lady Jeanne Ritter, Attorney General John Suthers, members of the State Methamphetamine Task Force, former addicts and experts from across the state in the fields of prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. 

The special 90-minute edition of the live call-in Studio 12 program, hosted by Tamara Banks, will include local experts who will be able to further discuss crystal meth issues and respond to caller questions. 

Program guests will include Lori Moriarty, executive director of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and former commander of the Thornton Police Department; Nick Taylor, PhD of Taylor Behavioral Health in Delta County; and Tonya Wheeler, president of Advocates for Recovery.

Channel 12 will repeat the Crystal Darkness documentary at 8:30 and 12:30 p.m., and the 7 p.m. call-in program will be repeated at 1 a.m.

At 9 p.m., channel 12 will air a related PBS program, The Narcotic Farm: The Rise and Fall of America’s First Prison for Drug Addicts.  The film documents one of America's most ambitious drug-treatment institutions. Located in Lexington, Ky., the institution housed addicts from the famous, like writer William S. Burroughs, to the forgotten.

Each week Studio 12 explores hot issues and fascinating topics with provocative and knowledgeable guests. Studio 12 is one of the only television shows in Colorado that encourages viewers at home to call in and join the discussion.

This episode of Studio 12 also will be available for viewing via the on-demand feature of www.kbdi.org after January 12.

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About KBDI

KBDI has set itself apart with carriage of an unparalleled amount of local public affairs programming. KBDI "community voice" programming engages viewers in community-based discussions of state, national and global issues. KBDI delivers three digital channels: its flagship KBDI broadcast station with a strong mix of local, national and international programming; The Documentary Channel, featuring the works of independent filmmakers; and MHz Worldview, a channel providing diverse cultural perspectives for a globally minded audience.