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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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: : 242
2003: : 96
Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy, State of Minnesota Profile of Drug Indicators, August 2006

13. Faces of Meth

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

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

16. Faces of Meth
8 months later
Meth addict, age 20

17. Faces of Meth
Meth addict, age 28
4 months later

18. Faces of Meth
3.5 years later
Meth addict, age 39

27. Meth-mouth

28. Who uses Illegal Drugs?
What’s the Cost?

29. 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