METH HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, ACCESSIBLE

PARKERSBURG - Methamphetamine is one of the most highly addictive,
easily accessible drugs of choice, which is not only a danger to those
who use it, but poses a threat to anyone involved in manufacturing it
as well.

"Meth is still a problem in Wood County, although it's not as bad as
it used to be because of the work by law enforcement, in particular
what the local Narcotics Task Force has done in this community," said
Wood County Prosecutor Ginny Conley, who has been at the forefront of
a movement to enhance the state's drug laws relating to meth.
"Combined with education, awareness, investigation and prosecution of
meth cases, some of it has moved out of this county." Conley estimated
the task force has conducted approximately 157 raids since its
inception around 1998.

Meth abuse makes users do things they would never ordinarily do,
Conley said.

"We learned at some national training seminars of people throwing
children out of moving vehicles because of hallucinations caused by
the drug. People do evil things as a result of being under the
influence of this drug," Conley said.

Meth use is often tied to other crimes, including theft or fraud,
committed by the user to get money to buy more meth.

"Among other things, meth makes people volatile, easily agitated," she
said.

The maximum penalty for both operating a clandestine lab and
manufacturing is 2-10 years in prison and a $2,000-$5,000 fine.

Meth constitutes a danger not only to those who use it, but also to
those who manufacture it.

"It's highly explosive and very flammable during the cooking. We have
had several training sessions for first responders because there is a
real danger to police, firefighters, paramedics going into a place
where there is a meth cook going on," Conley said. "They may be
responding to a fire, and not even be aware of the additional danger
they are facing."

Because of its explosive nature, meth cooks in close proximity to
other people, like in an apartment building or hotel can be especially
dangerous, she noted.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, meth is an
addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in
the brain. It is closely related chemically to amphetamine, but the
central nervous system effects of meth are greater.

Meth is sometimes referred to as "speed" or "chalk." Methamphetamine
hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be
inhaled by smoking are referred to as "ice," "crystal" and "glass."

According to the NIDA, meth releases high levels of the
neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing
mood and body movement. It 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.

Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the meth user
experiences an intense sensation, called a "rush" or "flash," that
lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable.
Oral or intranasal use produces euphoria - a high, but not a rush.

Users may become addicted quickly, and use it with increasing
frequency and in increasing doses, according to the institute.

Animal research going back more than 20 years shows high doses of meth
damage neuron cell-endings. Dopamine- and serotonin-containing neurons
do not die after meth use, but their nerve endings ("terminals") are
cut back and re-growth appears to be limited.

The central nervous system actions that result from taking even small
amounts of meth include increased 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.

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.