Methamphetamine

What is Methamphetamine?

Also known as:• Crank • Ice• Crystal • Speed• Tweak • Poor Man’s

Cocaine• Tina• Chalk

Meth is a highly addictivestimulant drug• Snorted • Smoked • Injected

Intravenously • Eaten or rubbed

on the gums

Who uses Meth?12 million people have tried meth

• Men and women (Cocaine 2:1, Heroin 2:1)

• Largest age group: 18-25

Meth isn’t only used to get high or escape: • Working moms

• Students

• Truck drivers

• Busy professionals

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Study of Drug Use and Health, 2007; Treatment Episode Data Set, 2007

How does Meth affect users?

THE BODY ON METH:

SHORT TERM: Powerful rush, euphoria, long-lasting high can stretch on for days

INCREASES:

ENERGYCONFIDENCESEX DRIVEBLOOD PRESSUREHEART RATE

INHIBITIONAPPETITENEED FOR SLEEP

DECREASES:

How does Meth affect users?

• Paranoia

• Hallucinations- especially of bugs crawling under the skin

• Depression

• Obsessive behavior

• Agitation

• Insomnia

• Aggression or violent behavior

• Convulsions

• Death

Meth Affects Communities

Meth is an escalating problem for law enforcement– 58% view meth as

the #1 illegal drug problem

– 70% say meth is driving up robberies and burglaries

– Identity theftNational Association of Counties, 2005, 2007

Meth’s innocent victims

• Children at Risk– Dangerous home environment

– Meth users neglect children

• Environment

• Crime victims

• First responders

The Threat to Teens

• 1 in 5 teens has a friend who tried meth

• About 1 in 4 believe trying meth once or twice would be very risky

• Impact on user, family & community is disproportionate to the number of users

Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2008

Local Meth Scene

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