WASHINGTON - Several government agencies will pay for a public awareness campaign aimed at curbing methamphetamine use on Indian reservations, Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced this week.

Kempthorne said the agencies - including the Interior Department, the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Department of Health and Human Services - will set aside $300,000 for media campaigns, including radio and print ads, and other educational tools.

"By creating an awareness of this lethal drug and educating people about its devastating effects, especially in Indian Country, we can prevent people from trying it even once," Kempthorne said at a news conference.

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the National Congress of American Indians are also participating in the effort.

Kempthorne said the campaign will consult Indian leaders and community members in researching and creating the ads, and they hope to get the anti-meth message out "in a way that captures the imagination."

"The well-being of Indian communities continues to hang in the balance," said Kempthorne, who is also the former governor of Idaho.

Methamphetamine use has dramatically increased in Indian Country in recent years and outpaced use in non-Indian communities. Carole Lankford, vice chairwoman of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in Montana, said at the news conference that more than 35 meth-affected children have been placed in her tribes' foster care system in the past four years.

She said one baby in her community was recently born dead with six drugs found in her system.

"When something like this happens, it hurts. It hurts so bad," she said.

Lankford added that one of her children is a recovering meth abuser.

"The money at home on the ground is what's going to make the difference," she said.

Kempthorne said the government is working on the meth problem, and stressed he is dedicated to helping Indian country.

"We're not there yet," he said.

South Dakota's two senators hailed the new anti-meth campaign Thursday. Republican Sen. John Thune called the announcement "welcome news that will further the campaign's important work to prevent children in Indian Country from falling victim to this dangerous drug."

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson said he will work to make sure Congress continues the funding.

"Education is among the most effective tools in the fight against meth," he said.

Ivan Posey, chairman of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe in Wyoming, agreed.

"We see the effects of it, but we need to become more educated about the early signs of use," he said.