Where Meth Goes Destruction and Violence Follow
Before I get started on why methamphetamine is such a huge problem in the US today here are a few facts
Methamphetamine Characteristics
· Meth- a powerful, long lasting, physical and psychological stimulant. Known by a variety of street names- meth, speed, crank, crystal, ice and glass.
· Often powdery, meth may be found in variety of colors and it may emit a chemical odor.
· Meth is swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked.
· Meth is a highly addictive drug.
Symptoms
· Short-term use can result in increased heart rate, blood pressure and respiration; excessive sweating; flushed or tense appearance; a chemical odor on the breath; rapid speech; dilated pupils; bloodshot eyes; and inability to sleep or eat.
· Prolonged use can cause severe physical and psychological problems, including permanent brain damage. Chronic users are also known as tweakers.
· Physical symptoms include severs weight loss, rotting teeth, scars, and open sores, often caused by the tweakers ' hallucinations of imaginary bugs on the skin (National Drug Intelligence Center), body odor and a lack of one 's personal hygiene.
Behavioral problems
· Meth can overwhelm and over stimulate the user 's nervous system, creating serious psychological/behavior problems, including violence, aggression and hyperactivity.
· Chronic meth users experience any or all of the following: initial euphoria, depression, paranoia, delusions and aggressive behavior.
Addiction
· Meth modifies the brain 's pleasure receptors by producing excess levels of dopamine, a natural chemical found in the brain. With prolonged use, the user 's ability to experience normal levels of pleasure declines significantly. The user suffers extreme boredom with normal day-to-day activities.
· Meth creates a powerful craving in the user. The psychological urge to use meth can cause a user to become dependent on the drug. Many young users either ignore or are unaware of the paranoia, brain damage or violence
Methamphetamine Characteristics
· Meth- a powerful, long lasting, physical and psychological stimulant. Known by a variety of street names- meth, speed, crank, crystal, ice and glass.
· Often powdery, meth may be found in variety of colors and it may emit a chemical odor.
· Meth is swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked.
· Meth is a highly addictive drug.
Symptoms
· Short-term use can result in increased heart rate, blood pressure and respiration; excessive sweating; flushed or tense appearance; a chemical odor on the breath; rapid speech; dilated pupils; bloodshot eyes; and inability to sleep or eat.
· Prolonged use can cause severe physical and psychological problems, including permanent brain damage. Chronic users are also known as tweakers.
· Physical symptoms include severs weight loss, rotting teeth, scars, and open sores, often caused by the tweakers ' hallucinations of imaginary bugs on the skin (National Drug Intelligence Center), body odor and a lack of one 's personal hygiene.
Behavioral problems
· Meth can overwhelm and over stimulate the user 's nervous system, creating serious psychological/behavior problems, including violence, aggression and hyperactivity.
· Chronic meth users experience any or all of the following: initial euphoria, depression, paranoia, delusions and aggressive behavior.
Addiction
· Meth modifies the brain 's pleasure receptors by producing excess levels of dopamine, a natural chemical found in the brain. With prolonged use, the user 's ability to experience normal levels of pleasure declines significantly. The user suffers extreme boredom with normal day-to-day activities.
· Meth creates a powerful craving in the user. The psychological urge to use meth can cause a user to become dependent on the drug. Many young users either ignore or are unaware of the paranoia, brain damage or violence
Cited: Bonne, Jon. "Meth 's Deadly Buzz." 2005 www.msnbc.msn.com "Clandestine Labs: Protecting the Environment and Community," Conference Proceedings, National Methamphetamine Drug Conference, sponsored by the Office of Drug Control Policy, May 1997. Crary, David. "Children often victims of meth epidemic in the heartland." Associated Press 2005 www.seattletimes.nwsource.com Lenx, Ryan. "Sheriff Conference Addresses the Meth Epidemic." The Associated Press 2005. www.abcnews.go.com "Meth hits in a big way," Daily News Paper. Los Angeles, Sept.27, 1998. Sacramento Bee newspaper, July 31, 1998. U.S. DOJ, National Drug Intelligence Center, December, 1996 p.10.