METH:METH: What’s cookingWhat’s cooking

2006 Mr. Gravine2006 Mr. Gravine

OverviewOverview

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

MethMethMethamphetamineMethamphetamine

SpeedSpeed UppersUppers

ChalkChalkCrystalCrystal GlassGlass

CrankCrank IceIceMost widely abused illicit drug in the Most widely abused illicit drug in the

world after marijuana.world after marijuana.

What is Meth?What is Meth? Highly addictive Highly addictive

stimulantstimulant

Odorless, bitter-Odorless, bitter-tasting, white tasting, white crystalline powdercrystalline powder

Smoked, snorted, Smoked, snorted, injected, taken injected, taken orallyorally

Where does meth Where does meth come from?come from?

Meth/many ingredients come from Meth/many ingredients come from MexicoMexico

Secret laboratories can spring up Secret laboratories can spring up quicklyquickly

U.S. productions and availability of U.S. productions and availability of meth are increasingmeth are increasing

What are the What are the long and short long and short term effects?term effects?

The effects of The effects of MethMeth Dramatically affects the brainDramatically affects the brain

Alertness/wakefulnessAlertness/wakefulness Feeling of increase strength/renewed Feeling of increase strength/renewed

energyenergy Feeling of invulnerabilityFeeling of invulnerability Feelings of increased Feelings of increased

confidence/competenceconfidence/competence

What’s the What’s the downside?downside?

Meth users suffer severe effects and Meth users suffer severe effects and consequences:consequences:

DepressionDepression Binge and crash pattern of useBinge and crash pattern of use Crash phase-”tweaking”- Often Crash phase-”tweaking”- Often

includes feelings of anxiety and includes feelings of anxiety and emptinessemptiness

AddictionAddiction Brain damageBrain damage

What comes after the What comes after the “high”?“high”?

Irritability/aggressiveness/frustrationIrritability/aggressiveness/frustration AnxietyAnxiety DepressionDepression FatigueFatigue ParanoiaParanoia Hallucinations or delusionsHallucinations or delusions Intense cravings for the drugIntense cravings for the drug

Long-term effectsLong-term effects Brain damageBrain damage Memory problemsMemory problems InsomniaInsomnia Decreased appetiteDecreased appetite Increased heart rate and blood Increased heart rate and blood

pressurepressure Breathing problemsBreathing problems Increased risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis Increased risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis

B&C and other diseases caused by B&C and other diseases caused by using needles.using needles.

Who Uses Meth?Who Uses Meth?

Anyone can be a meth Anyone can be a meth useruser

Truck driversTruck drivers White collar workersWhite collar workers

Restaurant, construction, and factory Restaurant, construction, and factory workersworkers

Gay menGay men People with Aids People with Aids Students Youth at all Students Youth at all night partiesnight parties

People seeking weight loss AthletesPeople seeking weight loss Athletes

People producing MethPeople producing Meth

Who uses meth?Who uses meth? Age of first use: TeenAge of first use: Teen Easy to go from casual use to Easy to go from casual use to

addictionaddiction In 1999, Almost 8% of high school In 1999, Almost 8% of high school

seniors reported taking meth at least seniors reported taking meth at least onceonce

Almost 9 million Americans reported Almost 9 million Americans reported using methusing meth

Who uses MethWho uses Meth

Trends in number of emergency Trends in number of emergency department mentions of department mentions of

methamphetamine, 1997-2001methamphetamine, 1997-2001

What is the What is the impact on impact on

others?others?

Meth production and it’s effectsMeth production and it’s effects

Over-the-counter Over-the-counter ingredientsingredients

Easily made at homeEasily made at home Manufactured= Manufactured=

“cooking”“cooking” Dangerous Dangerous

chemicalschemicals Labs can and do Labs can and do

explode explode unexpectedlyunexpectedly

Non-users suffer too…Non-users suffer too… Domestic violence and child neglectDomestic violence and child neglect Threats to physical safety of Threats to physical safety of

community member:community member:– One in six meth labs explode or One in six meth labs explode or

catch on firecatch on fire– Every pound of meth leaves behind Every pound of meth leaves behind

5-6 pounds of toxic waste 5-6 pounds of toxic waste – Property values decline, crime Property values decline, crime

increasesincreases

What can be What can be done?done?

TreatmentsTreatments Drug educationDrug education

Family and group therapiesFamily and group therapies

Self-help groupsSelf-help groups

MedicationMedication

Preventing meth usePreventing meth use

Requires the entire Requires the entire community working together.community working together.

ChurchChurch FamiliesFamilies SchoolsSchools

Service groupsService groups MediaMedia

Law enforcementLaw enforcement Social service Social service Businesses Businesses Treatment Treatment agenciesagencies

Health organizationsHealth organizations

Preventing meth Preventing meth productionproduction

Government must play an active roleGovernment must play an active role– Provide public safetyProvide public safety– Reduce demand Reduce demand – Regulate chemical ingredientsRegulate chemical ingredients– Protect childrenProtect children

ReviewReview Meth is a highly addictive drug used Meth is a highly addictive drug used

by people from all walks of life.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 Preventative measures include

community involvement.community involvement. Contact your local authorities for Contact your local authorities for

more information.more information.

Impact of MethImpact of Meth

Video 1Video 1 Video 2Video 2 Video 3Video 3 Video 4Video 4

ResourseResourse SAMHSA’S National Clearinghouse for SAMHSA’S National Clearinghouse for

Alcohol and Drug Information at Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686 1-800-729-6686

www.SAMHSA.gov www.SAMHSA.gov Informational Web SitesInformational Web Sites

www.nida.nih.govwww.nida.nih.gov

www.clubdrugs.orgwww.clubdrugs.org

www.cadca.orgwww.cadca.org

Meth:Meth:

What’s cookingWhat’s cooking

Produced by:Produced by:

Mr. GravineMr. Gravine

Health and Physical Education Teacher in the Health and Physical Education Teacher in the Riverside School District Grades 7-12Riverside School District Grades 7-12