Methamphetamine, also known as meth is a chemical stimulant similar to adrenaline but powerfully addictive. Methamphetamine effects the central nervous system.
Street names for meth are crank, crystal, speed ice, and glass. The prevalence of meth is extremely high. The reason being is that it is easily made out of cheap ingredients that are easily assessable.
The hook on meth comes from the effects the user achieves: increase wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, and increased mental and physical well-being. Users report there is a brief intense sensation when meth is snorted or injected.
The rush and the high are believed to result from the release of very high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into areas of the brain that control feelings of pleasure. Usually a person who uses meth never gets as big a “high” as he or she did the first time. As tolerance for meth develops with chronic use, in an attempt to intensify the desired effects, users will take higher doses more frequently. It is not uncommon for meth abusers go without food and sleep while indulging in a form of binging known as a “run,” injecting as much as a gram every two to three hours over a several day period. This will continue until the user runs out of the drug or is too disoriented to continue. With chronic use and/or increased dosages of meth, the toxicity level increases. With the increased toxicity, the user may experience irritation, outbursts of anger, paranoia, delusional thinking, visual or auditory hallucinations, inflammation of the heart lining as well as progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.
If that is not scary enough, the fact that our teens make up a significant number of meth users today is. In the past few years, the use of this drug has increased dramatically in teenagers from 12 to 17 years old. What makes matters worse is the internet has hundreds of web sites that provide the recipes and places to purchase ingredients to make meth. Just a couple of the ingredients that are toxic on their own, commonly known to be used to make meth are battery acid and drain cleaner. This is what is what our youth is putting into their bodies.
Regardless of social or economic background, the experimentation with crystal meth has become commonplace for our teens. The TV does not help. It portrays that thin is beautiful and has become increasingly important teen girls unfortunately. With extended meth use, one does experience dramatic weight loss but at the same time risk their lives.
Other factors that play a role in the increased drug use amongst our teens are the youth rave culture that encourages hard drug use, desire for personal freedom, self-discovery, peer acceptance, and the “non-alcohol” after hour’s club. Sadly, the increased use of meth has shown in the statistics.
According to the 2005 NSDUH, 10.4 million Americans age 12 and older had tried methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes. (NIDA) Based on its 2007 survey results, NACO reported Meth is still the number one drug problem.
Within the criminal justice system the cost associated with enforcing Meth laws represent the second largest category of costs at $4.2 billion.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Drug Threat Assessment 2009 continues to report that an overwhelming percentage (68%) of state and local agencies in the 20 Western states perceive Meth as their greatest drug threat.
According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the best estimate for the number of Meth dependent users is 270,348—an 11% increase from 2005.
Between 1998 and 2000, meth related emergency room visits doubled - 47% of hospitals report Meth as the top illicit drug involved in emergency room visits. Between 1998 and 2002, death from methamphetamine overdoses rose 125 percent.
The calculated costs associated with drug treatment are approximately $545 million, of which $491 million is in the community-based specialty treatment sector.
Treatment admissions for Meth more than doubled nationally between 2000 and 2005.
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What a horrible picture. If that wouldn't stop someone from trying Meth, is there anything that would? I'm glad I don't have any kids. If I ever do I hope we will be able to talk about everything. I had an OK relationship with my parents but we never talked about drugs. The only time I remeber hearing it mentioned was my Dad telling me, "You better not!" I didn't, but the opportunity was surely there. I thank God I had the strength to say no. Thank you for all you do for others. It's really too bad that it is even necessary.
ReplyDeleteOver 10 million Americans over the age of 12 have tried meth? How can that be? I would say that I'm shocked, but it's beyond that. It's so scary it takes my breath away. The picture looks like some prisoner of war pictures that I have seen. I guess they are still prisoners, but of something much worse than war. Keep up the work you do, it is vitally necessary.
ReplyDeleteThe holocaust comes to mind when I look at that picture. They were tortured souls too, as I'm sure meth users are. I never realized the horrors of meth. Thank you for educating the public.
ReplyDeleteIt hurts me to look at that picture and think that the boy is someone's son. He has a family who, most likely, love him very much. I hate to think of what they suffer trying to help him.
ReplyDeleteThat picture is painful to look it and it made me think that maybe it needs to be shown around more than it is. While my kids were growing up I had a picture of a diseased lung alons side of a healthy lung. We talked a lot about smoking, alcohol and drugs. I have 6 children. Only 1 of them smoked and he has since quit. Only 2 drink alcohol and it is in moderation. I know of no drug use. That doesn't mean they didn't try it, but it's not a habit any of them have formed. Maybe seeing these types of pictures in tv, newpaper and magazine ads will keep some of them from even trying meth.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate seeing teens experimenting with drugs I can, on some level, understand their need to try what they consider adult things. What I don't understand, is why an adult, who has everything going for them, would at that point in their lives, get involved with drugs. They are supposed to be more mature and smarter than that. My boss is a prime example. Recently, he's been showing up for work, clearly under the influence. I have to scratch my head and wonder why.
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