METH AWARENESS TODAY

The Rural Crime and Justice Center (RCJC) and the Student Association are
sponsoring a Meth Awareness Day today.

A presentation will be held at 12:30 p.m. in the MSU Conference Center in
the Student Union. The RCJC will provide free CD holders and water bottles
with a meth-awareness logo while supplies last. The day was organized
because more and more methamphetamine labs have been appearing throughout
North Dakota. There were over 250 labs confiscated just this year.

Methamphetamine is an illegal drug currently being used for recreational
purposes. The drug is roughly made up of battery acid, drain cleaner,
antifreeze, paint thinner, starter fluid, ephedrine, anhydrous ammonia and
a high concentrate of a drug found in most cough syrups.

Labs are becoming popular for two reasons. One is because meth is cheap and
relatively easy to produce, since household items are used to make and cook
the drug.

The second reason is the addictive quality of the drug. Even first-time
users can be caught in the vicious "binge and crash" cycle. As soon as the
pleasurable effects, due to increased dopamine levels, wear off, the user
takes more and goes on a binge for days.

Meth can be taken by inhalation, snorting, injection or eating. The average
high lasts about 12 hours. A meth high consists of intense euphoric
feelings, but the feeling wears off soon, and a confused state of jittery
anticipation follows.

The side-effects of meth include dizziness, acne, depression, suicidal
thoughts, twitches, blurred vision, hallucinations (auditory and visual),
severe weight loss, seizures, brain damage and death. People as young as 12
have been known to use the drug. The average meth "cook" ranges in age from
the late 20s to the early 40s.

Law enforcement agencies warn citizens to watch out for signs of meth labs,
such as late-night visitors who stay for short periods of time, excessive
garbage and strong chemical smells, such as ammonia.

Meth users are a danger to society and themselves because of their
hazardous wastes and violent acts. Each pound of meth produces five to six
pounds of toxic waste.