Hawai’i Meth Project Names New Appointments

Three new appointments have been named by the Hawai’i Meth Project. Georgianna DeCosta, Tanya Hardin, and Erick Agarijo will work collaboratively to educate teens and young adults in Hawai’i with facts about and the dangers of methamphetamine abuse and empowering them to become advocates of the Hawai’i Meth Project’s “Not Even Once” message in pursuit of a meth-free future.

DeCosta has been promoted to Executive Director of the Hawai’i Meth Project. She will be responsible for driving the organization’s strategic direction, community outreach and education, fund development efforts, and business operations. Previously, DeCosta served as the organization’s program director, a position she held since February 2013.

Prior to her time with the Hawai’i Meth Project, DeCosta spent 12 years in corporate and community support through her work in a number of non-profit organizations. She studied communication and public relations within the University of Hawai’i system.

A new hire for the organization, Tanya Hardin, becomes the project’s Prevention Education Manager. In her role, she will be in charge of delivering educational presentations, coordinating school-based events, and supporting programs directed toward the Hawai’i Meth Project’s target audience of teens and young adults statewide. Among Hardin’s strengths is her experience in alcohol and substance abuse counseling, prevention education, and community outreach.

For 12 years, Hardin served as a state Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and Prevention Specialist at Hina Mauka, where she provided counseling, case management, and treatment planning for adolescents and their families. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i system and holds a degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling.

The new Community Engagement Manager is Erick Agarijo, who will spend his time with the Hawai’i Meth Project focused on community-based outreach initiatives and in engaging volunteers to further increase both the organization’s visibility and overall awareness of meth-related issues. Additionally, Agarijo will be responsible for the development and maintenance of volunteer programs. He will also manage Hawai’i Meth Project’s social media channels.

Among Agarijo’s strengths are graphic design skills and expertise in marketing. Prior to joining the team at the Hawai’i Meth Project, he worked as a Marketing Associate for Kaimuki Self Storage. He is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Hawai’i is one of eight states that has adopted the Meth Project. The Hawai’i Meth Project has been recognized nationally for its prevention efforts.