Meth Facts
What is Methamphetamine (Meth)?
Methamphetamine, also known as Speed, Crank, Ice, Class, Crystal Meth and Shards, is a stimulant that affects the central nervous system and pleasure center of the brain by producing euphoria, increased alertness and increased physical activity when snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked. Meth is economically affordable compared to the manufacturing costs of other drugs and its effects can often last for several hours, versus a few minutes….
What does Meth do...?
To Your Body
Meth Fact: Although meth is highly addictive, it has been proven that recovey is possible.
KITTY LITTER ANYONE?
Would you consider putting kitty litter, gun scrubber, and drain cleaner in your body? Those are just some of the toxic items meth users put in their body. Listed below are some of the materials used in the meth making process.
- Farm Fertilizer
- Lye
- Acetone
- Kitty Litter
- Ammonium Sulphate Fertilizer
- Liquid Propane
- Gasoline Additives
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Brake Cleaner
- Engine Starter
- Drain Cleaner
- Matches
- Lithium Batteries
- Gun Scrubber
HOW DOES METHAMPHETAMINE WORK?
Methamphetamine is highly addictive synthetic drug that stimulates the produect of certian chemicals in the central nervous system call neurotransmitters. One such chemical is dopamine, which is responsible for sending signals of pleasure to the brain.
Methamphetamine can be taken in a variety of ways. It can be snorted, injected, smoked, or digested as a pill. Its effect is dtermined by its intake. Meth is known to give the illusion of a "euphoric rush" making it a popular drug.
Users continue to use the drug in hopes of regaining the feeling from the first high, which later can lead to addiction. Though the initial effects of methampetamine can last up to 12 hours they are accompanied by sever long-term side effects that affect the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and brain of the meth user.
“Meth mouth” is one of the many effects associated with meth use.
THE METH EFFECT
Below is a partial list of negative health consequences that can occur when regularly using meth.
Psychological Effects:
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THE AGING DRUG & "METH BUGS"
Aside from the various internal effects of methamphetamine, meth is also responsible for rapid aging of the skin. Meth users can look twenty years older that their actual age in a short period of time. (Pictured Above).
When meth users hallucinate, they can inflic severe damage to their skin by trying to rid themselves of a sensation known as "meth bugs" crawling over their skin (Pictured Below).
To Your Environment
Meth Fact: Many of the toxic chemicals used to product meth are colorless and oderless.
DISCRETE DESTRUCTION?
Methamphetamine labs (meth labs) arehighly hazardous laboratories that can go undetected for months or even years. Yet the impact meth labs have on the environment is anything but discrete.They can be located on the outskirts oftown or next door to you.
There are many dangers associated withmeth labs, including explosions and exposure to odorless, toxic vapors. The contamination caused by the methamphetamine production process is directly linked to changes in the air we breathe, the water we drink and other factors in the environment. Provided below is a small list of typical chemicals found in a meth lab site:
- Ammonia
- Benzene
- Ether
- FreonHydrochloric acid (Hcl gas)
- Muriatic acid
- Phosphine gas
- Red phosphorus
- Sodium hydroxide
- Sulfuric acid
- Liquid lab waste
All of these chemicals are poisonous; halfare explosive and half emit toxic vapors.These all could be used to produce meth inyour neighborhood, be aware of the signs.
METHAMPHETAMINE... THE NEIGHBORHOOD TOXIC DUMPSITE
Methamphetamine causes more problemsthan increased crime and substance abuse.Meth labs have created a dangerous environment by unleashing a number of toxic compounds into the air and water putting communities in grave danger.The production of meth endangers our environment. For every pound of meth produced, six pounds of toxic waste ismade. This toxic waste is dumped in drains affecting the water supply; on soil affecting plants and animals, and near homes affecting you and your family.
Meth Fact: For every pound of methamphetamine produced, 6 pounds of toxic waste is made.
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THAT FRESH METH AIR
There is more danger to meth than the drug itself. The toxic gases and fumes created during the production process pose a great threat to your health and you may never know you are being exposed to these chemicals. Irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory system has been reported following short contact with meth labs. The symptoms range from simple allergic reactions to blisters in the throat and nose, sometimes requiring hospitalization. Exposure to corrosive compounds results in burns. More serious symptoms, such as cancer and neurological problems, can develop with increased exposure to a lab.
Meth Fact: Exposure to toxins in former meth labs can be dangerous to your health.
TICKING HOUSE BOMB
Imagine having a neighboring house instantly engulfed in flames. Without warning, it endangers you and your family. Meth labs are highly flammable and can bust into flames in an instant!
SPOT THE SIGNS & REPORT THE DANGER
Here is a partial list of signs to recognize if a methamphetamine lab is in your neighborhood:
- Lots of traffic, people stopping at house for only a few minutes, day and night.
- Excessive trash on property, including large amounts of such items as antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, and red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.
- Unusual, strong odors, similar to cat urine, ammonia and fingernail polish remover.
- Residence's windows blacked out.
If you suspect any suspicious activity in your neighborhood please report it to The Department of Public Safety at (520) 547-8800.
To Your Society
Meth Fact: Arizona ranks in the top four states for per capita drug arrest among adolescents for synthetic drug possession or use, which is largely for Methamphetamine.
CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT
Ice, speed, crank, tweak, crystal, shards, white cross, poor man’s cocaine, or meth, all of these names represent the same problem. Meth is not the problem of a particular community, it is a problem to all of society.
Meth affects not only the user, but it affects their family, their children, their friends and their neighbors. Meth has been responsible for tremendous increases in criminal activity, domestic violence and child neglect cases. We cannot afford to allow meth addiction and abuse to thrive in our communities. It is up to us to stop this growing problem, and offer help to those in need.
METHED-UP COMMUNITIES
Methamphetamine is slowly deteriorating our quality of life and is continuing to spread throughout Tucson and the Pima County area. The spread of meth is doing more than placing more drugs in our community. It is causing increases in crimes such as theft, property damage, mail fraud and child neglect. While there is a growing awareness about meth among individuals, we need to become aware of this growing dilemma community-wide and take action to eliminate this problem. Please contact the Meth Free Alliance for education, information and tools.
Meth Fact: Clean up sites of meth labs such as the one below cost Arizona tax payers an additional $5,000- $10,000 per site.
METH'S RIPPLING EFFECT
Meth causes more than a temporary high. The aftermath of meth has created tremendous increases in crime in Tucson and the Pima County area. According to local law enforcement, during one month in 2004, Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse was the largest single source of the following crimes:
- 66% of all burglary cases
- 56% of all fraud incidents
- 27% of all auto thefts
- 95% of all mail thefts and mail frauds
- 40% of recent homicides
- 50% of all property crime
Additionally, in 2004 meth was responsible for 600 children being removed from their homes and being placed in the Pima County foster care system.
Meth activity in Tucson, 2000-2005
RECOVERING OUR COMMUNITIES
The Meth Free Alliance believes that efforts among the Tucson community focus not only on meth prevention, but recovery for meth dependent residents in our community.
There are dozens of meth users who commit themselves to recovery every day, but without support from the surrounding community, successful recovery is difficult.
If you know of a loved one who is addicted to meth, or are looking to change your life, please call Information and Referral Services at 1-800-362-3474, or call the local site at (520) 881-1794 to find information regarding treatment and counseling today.
To report suspicious activities please call (520) 547-8800. Only when we work together can we become part of the solution!
