All about Methamphetamine
What is Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a CSA Schedule II drug by
Federal standards. It is known as the most highly
addictive drug in the country. It can be made from
ingredients at most stores, except for anhydrous
ammonia, and can be "cooked" almost anywhere.
"Cooked" is a misleading term because no heat is
required. Its appearance in finished form is what you
see in the photo on the right. Some slang terms
used are crank, speed, crystal, ice, and many more. It
is a potent central nervous system stimulant. It can
be smoked, injected, snorted, and swallowed (if first
wrapped in something). Meth manufacturing is
extremely dangerous because of the many chemical
products mixed in the process. They are both lethal
and toxic. Inhaling the fumes, and fire and explosions,
are sometimes fatal.
Methamphetamine is a CSA Schedule II drug by
Federal standards. It is known as the most highly
addictive drug in the country. It can be made from
ingredients at most stores, except for anhydrous
ammonia, and can be "cooked" almost anywhere.
"Cooked" is a misleading term because no heat is
required. Its appearance in finished form is what you
see in the photo on the right. Some slang terms
used are crank, speed, crystal, ice, and many more. It
is a potent central nervous system stimulant. It can
be smoked, injected, snorted, and swallowed (if first
wrapped in something). Meth manufacturing is
extremely dangerous because of the many chemical
products mixed in the process. They are both lethal
and toxic. Inhaling the fumes, and fire and explosions,
are sometimes fatal.
| Methamphetamine in its finished form. Crystal flakes that are ground to a powder. |
Some of the effects of meth
Users are affected both physically and mentally. The
brain and all other body organs suffer damage both
short and long-term. Over time the teeth will fall out
and bone structure will be damaged. Some signs of
meth use may be tremors, dilated pupils, dry mouth,
irritability, anxiety, aggressive and psychotic behavior,
and paranoia. Long-term effects are limitless and
include cardiac and neurological damage. The brain
damage is irreversible in some cases. The
chemicals used in the process are known to cause
cancer.
Users are affected both physically and mentally. The
brain and all other body organs suffer damage both
short and long-term. Over time the teeth will fall out
and bone structure will be damaged. Some signs of
meth use may be tremors, dilated pupils, dry mouth,
irritability, anxiety, aggressive and psychotic behavior,
and paranoia. Long-term effects are limitless and
include cardiac and neurological damage. The brain
damage is irreversible in some cases. The
chemicals used in the process are known to cause
cancer.
Why Everyone Should Be Concerned
Meth users are not the only people that are poisoned by this drug. Making meth is extremely
dangerous with the mixing of the array of chemicals that can damage the central nervous system,
liver and kidneys and burn the skin, eyes, and throat. The fumes permeate walls, carpets,
furniture, clothing, virtually everything. Children suffer long-term health effects and die from
sleeping on bedding that has been permeated from the manufacture. Explosions and fires pose
a threat to neighbors. Police, Firemen, EMT's, that enter a lab site are endangered. Wherever
meth goes, violence follows say the anti-drug Agents.
Environmental Hazards
Meth lab "cooks" leave about six pounds of hazardous toxic waste for each pound of meth
produced. Leftover chemicals pose long-term health hazards for all because they remain in the
soil and groundwater for years. Clean-up costs are extremely high because contaminated soil,
buildings, and other materials must be removed and incinerated.
Meth users are not the only people that are poisoned by this drug. Making meth is extremely
dangerous with the mixing of the array of chemicals that can damage the central nervous system,
liver and kidneys and burn the skin, eyes, and throat. The fumes permeate walls, carpets,
furniture, clothing, virtually everything. Children suffer long-term health effects and die from
sleeping on bedding that has been permeated from the manufacture. Explosions and fires pose
a threat to neighbors. Police, Firemen, EMT's, that enter a lab site are endangered. Wherever
meth goes, violence follows say the anti-drug Agents.
Environmental Hazards
Meth lab "cooks" leave about six pounds of hazardous toxic waste for each pound of meth
produced. Leftover chemicals pose long-term health hazards for all because they remain in the
soil and groundwater for years. Clean-up costs are extremely high because contaminated soil,
buildings, and other materials must be removed and incinerated.
METH POEM
This METH POEM by an anonymous author depicts
the destructiveness and pervasiveness of
Methamphetamine. It is written from the perspective
of the drug itself, describing how it unravels the lives
of all those who trespass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello My Friend.
I destroy homes. I tear families apart.
I take children and that’s just a start.
I’m more valued than diamonds,
more precious than gold.
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
If you need me, remember, I’m easily found.
I live all around you, in school and in town.
I live with the rich, I live with the poor.
I live just down the street, and maybe next door.
I’m made in a lab, but not one like you think.
I can be made under the kitchen sink,
or in your child’s closet, even out in the woods.
If this scares you to death, it certainly should.
I have many names, but there’s one you’ll know best.
I’m sure you’ve heard of me. My name’s Crystal
Meth.
My power is awesome. Try me. You’ll see.
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once, I might let you go.
Try me twice and I’ll own your soul.
When I possess you, you’ll steal and you’ll lie.
You’ll do what you have to do, just to get high.
The crimes you’ll commit for my narcotic charms,
Will be worth the pleasure you’ll feel in my arms.
You’ll lie to your mother, you’ll steal from your dad.
When you see their tears, you must not feel sad.
Just forget your morals, and how you were raised.
I’ll be your conscience. I’ll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents. I take parents from kids.
I turn people from God. I separate friends.
I’ll take everything from you, your looks and your
pride. I’ll be with you always, right by your side.
You’ll give up everything. Your family, your home.
Your money, your friends, you’ll be all alone.
I’ll take and I’ll take till you’ve no more to give.
When I finish with you, you’ll be lucky to live.
If you try me, be warned. THIS IS NOT A GAME.
If I’m given the chance, I’ll drive you insane.
I’ll ravage your body, I’ll control your mind.
I’ll own you completely. Your soul will be MINE.
The nightmares I’ll give you when you’re lying in bed,
And the voices you’ll hear from inside your head.
The shakes, the sweats, and the visions you’ll see.
I want you to know, these are your gifts from me.
By then it’s too late, and you’ll know in your heart,
That you are now mine, and we shall not part.
You’ll regret that you tried me. They always do.
But you came to me. Not I to you.
You knew this would happen.
How many times were you told?
But you challenged my power. You chose to be bold.
You could have said “no” and just walked away.
If you could live over, now what would you say?
My power is awesome, as I told you before.
I can take your mother turn her into a whore.
I’ll be your master, you’ll do as I say, even
when I tell you to go to your grave.
Now that you’ve met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It’s all up to you.
I can show you more misery than words can tell.
Come, take my hand. Let me lead you to hell.
Children's Meth
Legends Reference Pages:
Strawberry Meth
SEND THIS TO AS MANY PARENTS,
GRANDPARENTS and PEOPLE YOU KNOW.
Checked this on Snopes. It is true.
http://www.snopes.
com/horrors/drugs/candymeth.asp
A very scary thing is going on in the schools.
There is a type of crystal meth going around that
looks like strawberry pop rocks. It smells like
strawberry also and it is being handed out to kids
in school yards.
I'm sure it will make its way around the country.
Kids are ingesting this thinking it is candy and
being rushed off to the ER in dire condition.
It also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cola,
cherry, grape and orange. It looks just like pop
rocks.
Please instruct children to not accept candy that
looks like this
even from a friend and to take any that they may
have to a teacher,
principal, etc.
They call it strawberry meth or
strawberry quick.
_________________________________
LINKS TO EXPLORE
From the Department of Justice (DOJ)
website, below please find various meth
resources utilized in conjunction with the
recent webcast, "A Community Partnership
Approach to Addressing Meth," Included on
this page is an outline and downloadable
transcript of the program.
http://www.dojconnect.com/index.cfm?
page=3.020
Below are direct links to… Additional meth
resources and links from DOJ:
http://www.dojconnect.com/index.cfm?
page=3.013
Links associated with "A Community
Partnership Approach to Addressing Meth"
webcast:
http://www.dojconnect.com/index.cfm?
page=3.016
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rossetti Productions: http://www.
rossettiproductions.com
Partnership for a Drug-Free America: http:
//www.drugfree.org/Meth
| Renters often find homes contaminated with meth By Sheila Mclaughlin -- Gannett News Service (Excerpted for length.) How to avoid buying a meth house Here's what you can do to minimize your chances of buying a house or vehicle contaminated by methamphetamine: •Ask lots of questions of real estate agents. •Ask the local police department for its records of drug runs to that address. •Talk to neighbors. •Buy a test kit. One company, SKC Inc., sells a three-pack for less than $100 via this Web site: www.meth-wipe.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CINCINNATI -- Spasms of coughing and an occasional nosebleed still plague three of Cindy Wilson's children nearly four months after she moved the family out of her country dream home once it was discovered that she was renting a former methamphetamine lab. A son, born in July after the family left, now exhibits some of the same problems. Wilson said she threw out most of her family's belongings -- including toys -- but kept appliances and bedding from the contaminated house in Whitewater Township, Ohio, because she couldn't afford to replace them. "When is it going to end?" the 33-year-old mother cried. At least 15 states have established standards for cleaning up meth labs, but in the rest, renters and buyers are often on their own to deal with the fastest- growing drug problem in America. State and local officials in Ohio, for example, do nothing to notify prospective owners and tenants or force anyone to clean up the contaminated properties. No one has the authority, the way the law stands today. "They are basically a toxic waste dump," said Ohio state Rep. Stephen Dyer, a Democrat, who introduced a proposed notification and cleanup law for Ohio in March. There has been little research on the long-term health effects of meth residue. However, when meth labs are detected, the drug and chemicals used to make it are considered so poisonous and potentially explosive that police officers investigate the places wearing protective "moon suits" and respirators. Meth is made from a toxic stew of chemicals that can include fingernail polish remover, batteries, drain cleaner, pesticides, varnishes, paint thinners and starter fluid. Many studies have documented what meth does to the people who smoke it, inject it or find other ways to take the addictive drug. The potential harm from exposure to large amounts of meth or its components can range from mild effects such as skin and eye irritation and nausea to severe respiratory problems, depression, paranoia, delusions, liver and kidney damage, leukemia and other forms of cancer. "I would say it's one of the worst drugs there is," said Jim Liles, head of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. It has had a stranglehold on the West Coast for nearly two decades and marched eastward in the last few years. Police say the frequency of meth lab incidents has slowed this year after laws were passed restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter cold pill and one of meth's main ingredients. But the meth problem is far from over, police say. States that have established standards for cleaning up meth labs usually set detection limits for determining whether a building has to be quarantined until it is cleaned up. Some of the state laws have been around since the early 1990s. But the federal government has yet to set a cleanup standard. Instead, it's studying the issue. "Most of the states are being as conservative as possible," said John Martyny, an industrial hygienist and assistant professor at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, who studies contamination and exposure from meth labs. "As you learn more, you can become a little less conservative. But, right now ... we have a higher unknown factor." Minnesota, for example, recommends ventilating the property for several days; disposing of carpet, wallpaper, furniture and drapes; washing surfaces twice; sealing and painting ceilings, walls and wood floors; and washing and cleaning furnaces, air conditioners and ducts. Martyny's research indicates there's at least some risk from living in a former meth lab. He said vapors from meth cooking can spread through a house like the smell of buttered popcorn popping in a microwave. It absorbs into the paper that covers drywall. It sticks to walls, floors and other surfaces. It gets imbedded in carpeting and can't be shampooed out. It creeps into heating ducts, furnaces and air conditioners. High levels stick around for at least three months after a meth cook, he said. "If you moved into a meth home even months afterward with a small child, especially an infant," Martyny said, "the odds are the infant would start testing positive for methamphetamine." |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Methamphetamine Information
Community Against Methamphetamine
| Meth Labs can be in homes, cars, or almost anywhere. This is in the trunk of a car. |