A MOTHER ON METH

A Methamphetamine Primer

Some street names: Meth, crank, poor man's cocaine, crystal, ice,
glass, speed. Taking the drug can be called "tweaking" or "geeking."

What methamphetamine looks like: The drug comes in various forms, such
as liquid, white powder, chunky tablets, crystals or brightly colored
pills.

Ways of taking methamphetamine: Injecting, snorting, smoking, swallowing.

Where the drug is made: Large clandestine labs produce much of the
methamphetamine available in the United States. But a growing number
of smaller labs, often run by an individual or a handful of people,
are starting to compete for business in Georgia and elsewhere. These
smaller labs often produce a more potent form of the drug.

Short-term effects: Increased alertness and euphoria, rapid heart
rate, increased blood pressure and body temperature. Can cause
agitation, tremors, memory loss, hallucinations and psychotic episodes.

Possible effects of chronic use: Violent behavior, anxiety,
depression, confusion, insomnia, auditory and visual hallucinations,
mood disturbances, delusions and paranoia.

Meth and addiction: Dr. Frank Vocci of the National Institute on Drug
Abuse said methamphetamine is not physically addictive by traditional
medical standards, but can be strongly psychologically addictive.
Doctors do not treat withdrawal cravings of a methamphetamine abuser.
Recent studies have shown, however, that prolonged abuse of the drug
can chemically alter parts of the brain, making a person more prone to
future abuse.

The problem in Georgia: The number of methamphetamine-related admissions to
publicly funded hospitals went from 263 in 1999 to 953 in 2001 --- an
increase of more than 260 percent. In the federal fiscal year 2000,
one-quarter of all drug-related federal sentences in Georgia were
methamphetamine-related. Nationally, methamphetamine-related cases make up
15 percent of total drug-related sentences.

Sources: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the National Drug
Intelligence Center

The science behind it

Methamphetamine, known as a "psychostimulant," excites the brain and
central nervous system. Like amphetamine and cocaine, methamphetamine
sparks excessive production of the chemical dopamine, which sends
pleasure messages to the brain.

Dopamine usually transmits pleasure when someone is exhilarated ---
when finishing a race, for example, or when eating a favorite food.

Methamphetamine dramatically intensifies and prolongs feelings of
pleasure activated by dopamine.

What it does

The drug-induced overproduction of dopamine in the body has multiple
side effects: Users' hearts beat faster, their blood pressure rises,
and their appetite is diminished. They experience prolonged periods of
sleeplessness. The lack of sleep causes irritability and
hallucinations. How is it made?

The key ingredient in methamphetamine is the stimulant ephedrine or a
derivative drug called pseudoephedrine. Through fairly simple chemical
processes, drug dealers distill over-the-counter allergy, asthma and
cold medications to obtain pure ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. They add
other ingredients, most of which can be obtained at a local pharmacy
or hardware store. Many of the ingredients and materials used to
purify the methamphetamine are explosive or toxic. Two methods of
"cooking" methamphetamine are the most popular now. One involves using
red phosphorus and one involves anhydrous ammonia, a commercial fertilizer.

Methamphetamine comes in liquid, powder or crystal form. The liquid
can be mixed with drinks and swallowed, or shot into the bloodstream
intravenously. Crystals, the most potent form of the drug, can be
melted into liquid to be ingested or smoked.

When the drug is produced in small local labs, the strength and purity
of crystal methamphetamine vary widely.

Various recipes for methamphetamine are traded among users. Other
recipes are posted on the Internet and even appear in a book sold
commercially.

Why so popular?

Methamphetamine provides a high that lasts much longer than
cocaine-induced highs, so users consider it a less expensive high.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, smoking
methamphetamine can provide a high that can last more than 12 hours.
Smoking cocaine produces a high that lasts about 30 minutes. Prices
for methamphetamine vary, depending on its form, strength and whether
ingredients were stolen or bought. Crystal meth or "ice" tends to cost
more than other forms of methamphetamine.

TO GET HELP

If you suspect that a family member or friend may be abusing
methamphetamine or another drug, you can call Helpline Georgia at
1-800-338-6745. The hotline offers support, advice and referrals to
drug treatment programs. Calls are confidential.

You also can contact the Georgia Department of Human Resources'
Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive
Diseases. Its offices provide help and referrals.

The division's metro offices (serving Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett,
Clayton, Rockdale and Newton counties) are located at:

Citizens Trust Building

75 Piedmont Ave., 11th floor

Atlanta, GA 30303-2507

Phone: (404) 463-6367

4329 Memorial Drive, Suite K

Decatur, GA 30032

Phone: (404) 298 4990

The division's Web site is: http://www2.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/mhmrsa/