METH: What’s cooking What’s cooking 2006 Mr. Gravine

Overview  What is Meth?  What are the effects?  Who uses Meth?  How Does it impact others?  How can we fix the problem?  Where can I get more information?

Meth Methamphetamine Speed Uppers Chalk CrystalGlass CrankIce Most widely abused illicit drug in the world after marijuana.

What is Meth? Highly addictive stimulant Highly addictive stimulant Odorless, bitter- tasting, white crystalline powder Odorless, bitter- tasting, white crystalline powder Smoked, snorted, injected, taken orally Smoked, snorted, injected, taken orally

Where does meth come from? Meth/many ingredients come from Mexico Meth/many ingredients come from Mexico Secret laboratories can spring up quickly Secret laboratories can spring up quickly U.S. productions and availability of meth are increasing U.S. productions and availability of meth are increasing

What are the long and short term effects?

The effects of Meth Dramatically affects the brain Dramatically affects the brain Alertness/wakefulness Alertness/wakefulness Feeling of increase strength/renewed energy Feeling of increase strength/renewed energy Feeling of invulnerability Feeling of invulnerability Feelings of increased confidence/competence Feelings of increased confidence/competence

What’s the downside? Meth users suffer severe effects and consequences:  Depression  Binge and crash pattern of use  Crash phase-”tweaking”- Often includes feelings of anxiety and emptiness  Addiction  Brain damage

What comes after the “high”? Irritability/aggressiveness/frustration Irritability/aggressiveness/frustration Anxiety Anxiety Depression Depression Fatigue Fatigue Paranoia Paranoia Hallucinations or delusions Hallucinations or delusions Intense cravings for the drug Intense cravings for the drug

Long-term effects Brain damage Brain damage Memory problems Memory problems Insomnia Insomnia Decreased appetite Decreased appetite Increased heart rate and blood pressure Increased heart rate and blood pressure Breathing problems Breathing problems Increased risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B&C and other diseases caused by using needles. Increased risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B&C and other diseases caused by using needles.

Who Uses Meth?

Anyone can be a meth user Truck driversWhite collar workers Restaurant, construction, and factory workers Gay men People with Aids Students Youth at all night parties People seeking weight loss Athletes People producing Meth

Who uses meth? Age of first use: Teen Age of first use: Teen Easy to go from casual use to addiction Easy to go from casual use to addiction In 1999, Almost 8% of high school seniors reported taking meth at least once In 1999, Almost 8% of high school seniors reported taking meth at least once Almost 9 million Americans reported using meth Almost 9 million Americans reported using meth

Who uses Meth

Trends in number of emergency department mentions of methamphetamine,

What is the impact on others?

Meth production and it’s effects Over-the-counter ingredients Over-the-counter ingredients Easily made at home Easily made at home Manufactured= “cooking” Manufactured= “cooking” Dangerous chemicals Dangerous chemicals Labs can and do explode unexpectedly Labs can and do explode unexpectedly

Non-users suffer too… Domestic violence and child neglect Domestic violence and child neglect Threats to physical safety of community member: Threats to physical safety of community member: –One in six meth labs explode or catch on fire –Every pound of meth leaves behind 5-6 pounds of toxic waste –Property values decline, crime increases

What can be done?

Treatments Drug education Drug education Family and group therapies Family and group therapies Self-help groups Self-help groups Medication Medication

Preventing meth use Requires the entire community working together. Requires the entire community working together. ChurchFamiliesSchools Service groupsMedia Law enforcement Social service Businesses Treatment agencies Health organizations

Preventing meth production Government must play an active role Government must play an active role –Provide public safety –Reduce demand –Regulate chemical ingredients –Protect children

Review Meth is a highly addictive drug used by people from all walks of life. Meth is a highly addictive drug used by people from all walks of life. Dramatically affects the the brain. Dramatically affects the the brain. Production of meth is very dangerous. Production of meth is very dangerous. Preventative measures include community involvement. Preventative measures include community involvement. Contact your local authorities for more information. Contact your local authorities for more information.

Impact of Meth Video 1 Video 1 Video Video 2 Video 2 Video Video 3 Video 3 Video Video 4 Video 4 Video

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Meth: What’s cooking Produced by: Mr. Gravine Health and Physical Education Teacher in the Riverside School District Grades 7-12