'Meth'-ology, Part 2

METHAMPHETAMINE PICKED OVER FAMILY BY MANY USERS

Methamphetamine is being called the crack cocaine of the new millennium.
Crack blazed its way across the nation in the '80s and '90s, while meth use
has hit epidemic proportions in the past several years. Crack plagued inner
cities and the black community; meth is thriving in larger cities and
sweeping its way into the Tennessee Valley.

(Editor's Note -- This is the second in a series of articles on the
increase n methamphetamine production, distribution and use in southeast
Tennessee.)

Meth is being called the "poor man's cocaine."

Pleasure from this drug comes at a deadly price, and most abusers don't
know the price until it is too late.

"Most users choose meth over families," said Drug Enforcement
Administration Special Agent Dave Shelton.

Methamphetamine releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine,
which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement. It also
appears to have a neurotoxic effect, damaging brain cells that contain
dopamine and serotonin, another neurotransmitter. Over time, meth appears
to cause reduced levels of dopamine, which can result in symptoms like
those of Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder.

"Meth is taken orally or by snorting, by intravenous injection, and by
smoking," said Bradley County Sheriff's Department Detective Brian Quinn.

Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the meth user
experiences an intense sensation, called a "rush," that lasts only a few
minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable.

"Users become addicted quickly, and begin to use it more and in increasing
doses," said Quinn.

Taking small amounts of methamphetamine increases wakefulness, increased
physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia
and euphoria. Other effects include irritability, insomnia, confusion,
tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia and aggressiveness. Hyperthermia
and convulsions can result in death, said reports from the National Drug
Intelligence Center.

Meth causes increased heart rate and blood pressure and can cause
irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other
effects of meth include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, and
extreme anorexia. Its use can result in cardiovascular collapse and death.

"A user begins picking at imaginary bugs crawling under the skin, which in
turn causes open skin sores. They hallucinate -- think they see people
hiding in trees and grass. And it causes teeth to rot," said Quinn.

Meth is not usually sold and bought on the streets like many of the other
known illicit drugs. Users report that they obtain their supplies of meth
from friends and acquaintances. Skepticism about the drug's sources and the
pharmacological agents used in its production makes it especially difficult
to determine its toxicity, and resulting consequences and symptoms.

Meth generally costs the same or less than crack cocaine. Because the body
metabolizes it more slowly, the high lasts longer.

While cocaine binges rarely continue more than 72 hours, meth's effects can
last as much as 10 times longer than a cocaine user's high. Meth binges can
last up to two weeks.

Meth is a dangerous drug in itself, however, meth users usually combine it
with another drug.

"Meth is often being used in a dangerous combination with other substances,
including cocaine/crack, marijuana, heroin and alcohol," said Shelton.

Scientists have been examining the consequences of long-term meth exposure
in animals causing concern to arise over its toxic effects on the brain.
Researchers have reported that as much as 50 percent of the
dopamine-producing cells in the brain can be damaged after prolonged
exposure to relatively low levels of meth. Researchers also have found that
serotonin-containing nerve cells may be damaged even more extensively.

A drug which started out being a somewhat helpful drug in the early 1900s
has turned into the monster of today.

This monster can only be conquered with a coordinated effort between all
the local entities.

"In a state where there is a budget shortfall, local resources, can't keep
up with a problem like this -- so it requires this coordinated effort,"
said U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.