LEARNING THE DANGERS OF METHAMPHETAMINE

Do We Really Know What Methamphetamine Is and How It Effects Us? Do
You Know the Signs, the Damage, and the Addiction It Causes?

The Springfield Regional Committee hosted a Crystal-Meth and products
awareness presentation at the Springfield Collegiate Library on
November 2nd. More than 40 individuals from the community came to
listen as Sargent Marc Samson of the Drug and Organized Crime Unit
presented some very interesting information to those in attendance.
Children, parents, grandparents, EMS workers, and several others came
to listen as Samson explained what Crystal-Meth was, the short and
long term effects on those using this illegal substance and the
production methods used today.

As a police officer who has spent 19 years on the force, 15 of these
years have been spent in the Drug and Crime Unit, where Samson has
gained a wealth of knowledge, experience, and education.

"This drug is extremely powerful and addictive," explained Samson.

I personaly was amazed at the addictive potency this drug carries,
the physical changes one develops when using, and the ingredients
used to make it.

This drug, which is either smoked, snorted, injected, or administered
orally, affects the central nervous system and has many short and
long term side effects too numerous to list here.

"You won't be a meth addict for 20 years, you'll be dead long before
that," explained Samson. "Your entire life will be spent wanting to
get high again. It's extremely expensive and taxing on the community.
This will not go away if it is not addressed."

Samson easily held everyone's attention throughout the presentation
in which he shared several stories and life experiences he's
witnessed over the last 15 years.

The ingredients or chemicals required to make this drug were shocking
and are very available for purchase. For every one pound of
crystal-meth created, more than five pounds of hazardous waste is
left behind. These chemicals, and the array of their combinations,
are potentially lethal and toxic.

Meth lab's are often the cause of explosions and fires that injure
and kill not only the operators, but innocent bystanders, neighbors,
law enforcement officers and firemen.

Some meth lab operators experiment with other chemical mixtures,
producing unknown toxic and hazardous chemical waste and fumes that
may also cause the death of many innocent people.

The chemicals and fumes that permeate the walls, carpets, plaster and
wood in meth labs, as well as the surrounding soil, are know to cause
cancer, short-term and permanent brain damage and immune and
respiratory problems.

"Many of these people do not have a chemist background. If something
goes wrong when making meth and it blows up, you're going with it,"
explained Samson.

Following his presentation, Samson answered several questions, one
individual asking in particular if these types of labs were already
in our community.

"I'm sure they are. It is important to educate yourself about these
sorts of things. Educate your children. Your kids are smart and they
know what's out there," added Samson.