METHAMPHETAMINE

METHAMPHETAMINE

What is "meth"?

It's methamphetamine, a drug that speeds up the nervous system.

Methamphetamine comes in different forms...

"Ice" refers to its chunk form. "Meth" refers to any form of the drug.

Meth is illegally sold under many names, including: "crystal meth" - "crystal" - "crank" - "speed" - "glass".

It's important to know about meth.

Here's why:

It's dangerous. Meth can harm the user physically and mentally, it can even kill. And, some meth users become aggressive or violant towards others. Myths about meth are widespread. Some people think it's safer than cocaine or crack cocaine. The truth is, none of these drugs are safe.

Why some people use meth.

There's never a good reason to use illegal drugs, but some people may use meth because of:

Curiosity - If a person hears other people talking about using meth, he or she may want to try it, too. But, trying meth even once can be a deadly mistake!

Peer pressure - A person may start using it to be part of the crowd. But, no one should risk his or her health, or life, for the sake of being popular.

Unhappiness - If a person is feeling hopeless, drugs might look like a way out. The fact is, no matter how bad things seem, using drugs can only make them worse. And, using drugs keeps a person from taking positive steps to solve problems.

A false belief that meth isn't dangerous - Some people start using meth without realizing the risk they're taking. The negative effects don't always show up at first. But, when they do, the user may be addicted.

Meth "recipes" are always changing.

These new "recipes" can be especially deadly.

Many ingredients are poisonous. Dealers may add any number of dangerous chemicals, depending on whats available. Some of these added chemicals can cause death.

Dealers may also "cut" the drug. By mixing meth with other substances, dealers stretch their drug supplies further. They may also be making their product more dangerous.

There's no way of knowing what's in meth, or how it will affect you. This makes overdose and death more likely.

Meth is a trap.

Any user of meth runs the risk of:

Physical addiction - In a very short time, meth can take control. The user begins having withdrawal symptoms once the drug's effects have worn off. Risks include: depression, extreme tiredness, convulsions, coma, and death.

Psychological dependence - A user may start needing meth just to get through the day and to avoid withdrawal. The user's whole life begins to revolve around the drug. Soon, nothing else seems important or worth doing.

Tolerance - Meth users quickly build a tolerance to the drug. They need more and more of it to feel the same effects and more money to pay for it.

How meth affects the body.

The effects vary, depending on the amount taken, how it's taken, the person's mood and other factors. Effects may include: Nasal damage, dry itchy skin, faster heartbeat, increased body temperature, organ damage, nausea, exhaustion, problems sleeping, headache, uncontrolled movements, loss of appetite, malnutrition, numbness, stroke, and finally death.

How meth affects the mind.

These effects also vary, depending on the person and the dose. The user may be: Restless, excitable, unusually talkative, moody and irritable, anxious and nervous, falsely self-confident, uninterested, aggressive, panicky, and very depressed.

Users may also develop meth "psychosis" - Over time, meth can cause the user to lose touch with reality. He or she may experience:

Hallucinations - Hearing, seeing or feeling things that aren't there. Some users think bugs are crawling under their skin.

Paranoia - The user may think people are out to get him or her.

Bizarre compulsions - Such as cleaning the same corner of the floor for hours at a time.

Meth exposes the user to other dangers, including:

Lower resistance - To illness, caused by poor eating habits.

HIV infection and other STDs - From sharing needles to inject meth, or from engaging in risky sexual behavior while under its influence.

Financial problems - Caused by the need to support a drug habit.

Social problems - At school, home and work, caused by behavior while under its influence, or by loss of interest in everything but the drug.

Legal problems - Caused by theft, violence, ect., related to drug use.

Meth is also a danger to society.

Meth has been linked to:

Car crashes - Caused by people whose coordination or judgement was impaired by meth.

Crimes - Including the violence that increased drug trade can bring.

Fires and explosions - fueled by the dangerous chemicals used in illegal drug labs.

Hazardous wastes - Created during drug production and dumped into streams, vacant lots, ect.

Child abuse and neglect - That result from family violence, financial problems, ect., caused by drug use.

Harm to newborns - If a pregnant woman uses meth, her baby may suffer from low birth weight, drug withdrawal or possible birth defects. A pregnant woman should never use any drug, even an over-the-counter drug, without the OK of her health-care provider.

If you or someone you know uses meth or any other drug. Get help!

Go to: Family and friends, churches, hotlines, drug use programs, check the yellow pages.