Presentation goals: To Educate you on the dangers of Meth. To motivate you to take action in your...

Presentation goals:

To Educate you on the dangers of Meth.To motivate you to take action in your

school and community.

Questions to be addressed:

What is Meth? How does Meth affect users?

How does Meth affect families and communities?

Meth is a powerfully addictive stimulant that affects the whole community.

FRIENDS

SIBLINGS

PARENTS

CHILDREN

SCHOOLS

ENVIRONMENT

NEIGHBORS

LAW ENFORCEMENT

BANKSHOSPITALS

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

GRANDPARENTS

FOSTER CARE

Meth comes in many different forms:

Meth can be taken in many different ways:

SNORTED

SMOKED

INJECTED

ORALLY

Meth has many different names.

METH =

SpeedChalk

IceCrystalGlass

White Cross Blanco Crissy Crank Yaba Fire Tina Tweak

And MANY more…

Meth is manufactured using pseudoephedrine and toxic

household chemicals.

Some of Colorado’s Meth is manufactured in

clandestine local labs.

WARNING SIGNS• Unusual numbers of clear glass containers in the trash. • Open windows vented with fans, even during the winter. • Extensive security measures or efforts to ensure privacy. • Frequent visitors to a home, building, or area at all

times of the day and night.

• Houses or buildings with windows blackened or curtains always drawn.

• Garbage contains numerous bottles, containers, stained bed sheets, or coffee filters.

• Occupants of a home appear underemployed, yet have money or pay bills with cash.

• Unusual and strong odors (like ether, ammonia, acetone, or other chemicals).

• Lantern fuel cans, red-stained coffee filters, glassware with rubber tubing attached, drain cleaner, and duct tape.

Most of Colorado’s Meth is manufactured in superlabs located in Mexico and

California.

Who uses Meth?

Men and women 1:1 (Heroin 4:1, Cocaine 3:1)

Colorado ranks #8 in the country for total Meth use in the past year by people aged 12 and older

Nearly 75% of all Colorado Meth users in 2007 reported first using Meth before age 25-

Including 41% who started at 17 or younger

Your body on Meth

Meth releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, enhancing mood and body movement.

Your body on Meth

Dopamine is a feel-good chemical produced by the brain.

Meth kicks dopamine production into high gear, lighting up the brain.

Your body on Meth

Meth changes brain chemistry, and after extended use, the brain stops responding to dopamine.

The result: users are unable to feel good.

Meth harms the human body

• Sudden changes in work or school attendance. • Frequently borrowing money, selling possessions, or

stealing. • Angry outbursts, mood swings, or overall attitude

change. • Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming. • Quick weight loss. • Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts

frequently or at inappropriate times. • Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors, such

as making frequent trips to isolated areas where drug use would be undisturbed.

• Possession of inhaling or injecting paraphernalia, such as razor blades, straws, heated spoons.

• Expressing feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness.

WARNING SIGNS

Long Term Effects

• Paranoia • Hallucinations- especially of bugs

crawling under the skin • Depression

• Obsessive behavior• Agitation • Insomnia

• Aggression or violent behavior

• Convulsions • Death

Impact of Meth on Communities

Cooking one pound of meth produces five to seven pounds of toxic waste.

Cleaning up one meth lab costs thousands of taxpayer dollars.

Children at risk

• Meth users neglect children • Dangerous home environment

Communities and Prevention

It’s everyone’s job to stop it.

Business ownersCoworkersHotel workersReal estate agentsPark employeesChild care providersTeachersTaxpayers

FamiliesFriendsChildrenNeighborhoodsHomeownersLandlordsHealthcare workersFirst responders

We are all affected by Meth:

How can you help?

Educate OthersSpread the word – talk about the dangers of Meth with everyone

VolunteerContact the Colorado Meth Project

or your local Meth Prevention Coalition and sign up to volunteer

METH AND

MYTHS

TRUE or FALSE, Meth is safer than ‘hard’ drugs like heroin and

cocaine.

FALSE

TRUE or FALSE, Meth increases strength and endurance.

FALSE

TRUE or FALSE, Meth is an effective way to lose weight.

FALSE

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE, Meth makes people anxious and depressed.

TRUE or FALSE, it is impossible to recover from a Meth addiction.

FALSE