SOME FACTS ABOUT CRYSTAL MET AND ITS EFFECTS

* Methamphetamine is an amphetamine-class stimulant of the central
nervous system and works in a way similar to cocaine and caffeine.

* It is commonly seen as a bitter, white, odourless crystal powder
that dissolves easily in water and alcohol.

* Methamphetamine is more soluble in fat than amphetamine and
therefore penetrates the brain better.

* It was first developed in 1919 from amphetamine and in the following
decades used to treat congestion, narcolepsy and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder, as well as improve soldiers' performance
during the Second World War.

* Methamphamine can be swallowed, snorted, smoked and
injected.

* Swallowed or snorted, it causes a high that can last for
hours.

* Smoked or injected, there's a "rush" of a few minutes followed by a
high lasting four to 12 hours.

* At first, even small doses can keep one awake and more active and
lessen appetite.

* Users can develop tolerance to the high even while they still feel
the stimulating effects, possibly leading to "binging."

* Binging can lead to severe loss of sleep and toxic levels of
methamphetamine building up in the system, producing extreme symptoms
of psychosis including paranoia, hallucinations, hysteria, mood
disturbances, violence and delusions.

* Most symptoms associated with binging disappear quickly but
psychotic symptoms can linger for more than six months after long-term
use has stopped.

* Users can lose their appetites to the point they stop eating and
experience a rapid weight loss.

Methamphetamine can easily be made in small home laboratories using
ingredients available in grocery or drug stores.

People may start using methamphetamine to boost their energy, lose
weight or improve their social lives.

Methamphetamine can be detected in the urine for three to six
days.

It can also be detected in hair, within a period of about 90 days
after use, based on testing approximately four centimetres of the most
recent growth.

It can be detected in the blood for one to three days.

Its street names include meth, crystal, crank, crystal meth, ice,
speed, glass, go fast, geek, geet, chalk, gack, pink glass and zip.