Meth, Shattered Lives, Part 1B

WHAT IS METH?

Methamphetamine:

Easily made in clandestine laboratories with inexpensive over-the- counter
ingredients, methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive, highly abused
stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system.

Also known as:

Dexedrine, Biphetamine, Desoxyn, crank, speed, meth, chalk, crystal meth,
ice, glass

How taken:

smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injected

Immediate reaction:

Smoking or injection produces an intense rush or "flash" lasting several
extremely pleasurable minutes. A less euphoric high is produced by snorting
within 3 to 5 minutes or by oral ingestion within 15 to 20 minutes.

Tolerance:

In an effort to intensity the desired effects, users may take higher doses
of the drug, take it more frequently or change their method of drug intake.
In some cases, abusers forego food and sleep while indulging in a form of
binging known as a "run," injecting as much as a gram of the drug every 2
to 3 hours over several days until the user runs out or is too disorganized
to continue.

Withdrawal:

Symptoms that occur when a chronic user stops taking the drug include
depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia, aggression and an intense craving
for the drug.

Effects:

Paranoia
Hallucinations
Decreased social life
Severe depression
Memory loss
Dramatic mood swings
Acne, sores
Aggressive behavior
Convulsions
Increased heart rate
Violent behavior
Panic
Extreme weight loss
Heightened sexual activity
False sense of confidence
Loss of pleasure
Elevated body temperature
Sleep deprivation
Numbness
Impaired speech
Excessive talking
Hyperactive behavior
Poor coping abilities
For pregnant women: premature labor, detachment of placenta, low birth
weight babies with possible neurological damage
For IV users: AIDS, hepatitis, infections and sores at the injection of
heart lining and valves Seizures
Stroke
Death