Drug Abuse Education Course Master Sgt. Doug Oswald Assistant Drug Demand Reduction Administrator

Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant derived in 1932 from amphetamine, a drug synthesized in the early 1900s. Effects the natural chemicals adrenalin, seratonin and dopamine. Has surpassed crack and cocaine in some areas as the synthetic drug of choice.

Methamphetamine Methamphetamine has become a huge problem in America do to the increased legal, medical and social costs to local communities. 0.2% of the population, 512,000, are current meth users. 0.5% used meth at least once in the past year. 4.3% used meth at least once in their life. Source: 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings, Department of Health and Human Services

Methamphetamine Made in illegal labs and smuggled into the U.S. by Mexican criminal organizations. Can be snorted, injected, smoked or swallowed. Users can get addicted quickly and become very violent. They may experience feelings of paranoia, psychosis, schizophrenia, obsessive behavior, and hallucinations in the form of “crack bugs” which result in obsessive picking of the skin.

Methamphetamine Powder cocaine highs start in 8 minutes and last about an hour. Crack highs start in 8 seconds and last 20 minutes. A meth high can start in 5 seconds and last from 8 to 12 hours.

Methamphetamine Binge users try to retain the high for as long as possible by re-dosing. When a user crashes, they’ll sleep for days and may not return to normal for weeks. Withdrawal symptoms can last for months. Signs of overdose include convulsions and agitation.

Methamphetamine Addiction Decreased appetite Anxiety & restlessness Pupil dilation and blurred vision Increased respiratory rate Increased heart rate and blood pressure Heart attack & stroke Hyperthermia and convulsions Brain damage Death Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Methamphetamine Fact Sheet, November 2003

Meth Street Names Blue Meth Chalk Chicken Feed Cinnamon Crank Cristy Crystal meth Geep OZs Peanut Butter Quartz Sketch Spoosh Speed Stove Top Super Ice Glass Go-fast Hot Ice Ice Kaksonjae L.A. Glass Lemon Drop Tick Tick Trash Wash Wire Yaba Yellow Barn Zip

Methamphetamine Many toxic chemicals are used in making meth resulting in environmental contamination. The production of one pound of meth releases poisonous gas and creates 5-7 pounds of toxic waste. The toxic waste gets poured down drains or dumped on the ground.

Methamphetamine One out of every six meth labs is discovered when it explodes or starts on fire. Because of the hazardous materials used in making meth, it can cost $29,000, or more, to clean up a lab. Some Minnesota counties spend over $500,000 annually to clean meth labs and meth waste. Cleanup crews must wear protective clothing and use breathing apparatus.

Who uses Meth in the U.S? Average street price: ER Admissions: 1995: 15,933 1996: 11,002 1997: 17,154 1998: 11,486 1999: 10,447 2000: 13,505 2001: 14,923 2002: 17,696 Ever Tried: 8th: 3.5% 10th: 6.1% 12th: 6.7% College: 5.0% Current Use: 8th: 1.1% 10th: 1.8% 12th: 1.7% College: 0.2% Treatment admissions: 1995: 48,000 1996: 41,000 1997: 54,000 1998: 57,000 1999: 58,000 2000: 66,052 Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Methamphetamine Fact Sheet, November 2003 Average street price: per pound: $3,500-$23,000 Per ounce: $350-$2,200 Per gram: $20-$300

Who Uses Meth in Minnesota? 49.6kgs (4,492 dosage units) were seized in 2005. 49.4% (126) of the federal level drug cases in 2005 involved meth. 51.7% (1,127) of all drug offenders in 2005 were arrested for meth. 15.8% (7,158) of all treatment admissions in 2005 were amphetemine & meth related. 22 children were injured at meth labs in 2005. 88 meth labs were seized in 2005: 2001: 154 2002: 242 2003: 301 2004: 96 Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy, State of Minnesota Profile of Drug Indicators, August 2006

Faces of Meth

Faces of Meth 4 years later Meth addict, early 30s

Faces of Meth Meth addict, late 30s 3 months later

Faces of Meth 8 months later Meth addict, age 20

Faces of Meth Meth addict, age 28 4 months later

Faces of Meth 3.5 years later Meth addict, age 39

Meth-mouth

Who uses Illegal Drugs? What’s the Cost?

Statistical Sources 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies http://oas.samhsa.gov/