3. 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?

4. 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

5. Meth comes in many different forms:

6. Meth can be taken in many different ways: SNORTEDSMOKED INJECTEDORALLY

7. Meth has many different names. METH = Speed Chalk Ice Crystal Glass White Cross Blanco Crissy Crank Yaba Fire Tina Tweak And MANY more…

8. Meth is manufactured using pseudoephedrine and toxic household chemicals.

9. Some of Colorado’s Meth is manufactured in clandestine local labs.

10. 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.

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

12. 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

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Meth harms the human body

17. 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

18. Long Term Effects Paranoia Hallucinations- especially of bugs crawling under the skin Depression Obsessive behavior Agitation Insomnia Aggression or violent behavior Convulsions Death

19. 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.

20. Children at risk Meth users neglect children Dangerous home environment

21. Communities and Prevention It’s everyone’s job to stop it. Business owners Coworkers Hotel workers Real estate agents Park employees Child care providers Teachers Taxpayers Families Friends Children Neighborhoods Homeowners Landlords Healthcare workers First responders We are all affected by Meth:

22. How can you help? Educate Others Spread the word – talk about the dangers of Meth with everyone Volunteer Contact the Colorado Meth Project or your local Meth Prevention Coalition and sign up to volunteer

24. METH AND MYTHS

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

26. TRUE or FALSE, Meth increases strength and endurance. FALSE

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

28. TRUE TRUE or FALSE, Meth makes people anxious and depressed.

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