METH DESTROYS
The issue of meth-amphetamine use is at an epidemic level. When there are children living in the homes where this toxic drug is being produced and used the impact is doubly traumatic. Realities For Children helps to provide ‘Comfort Bags’ for these children with the essentials they need and a bit of hope. The Meth Destroys campaign is designed to bring greater awareness and availability of service for those in need. |
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WHAT PARENTS AND YOUTH NEED TO KNOW
Q - Isn't using methamphetamine (meth) like using diet pills?
Q - What is meth made from?
Q - How would I know if I saw meth?
Q - What would draw teens and young adults to using meth?
Q - I'm pregnant. Can meth harm my unborn baby?
Q - I can trust my friend to give me pure meth, right?
Q - How can I tell if a friend or family member is using methamphetamine?
Q - What do I do if I want to stay Drug-Free?
Q - Isn't methamphetamine less harmful than crack, cocaine, or heroin?
A - Some users get hooked the first time they snort, smoke, or inject methamphetamine. Because it can be made from lethal ingredients like battery acid, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, and antifreeze, there is a greater chance of suffering a heart attack, stroke, or serious brain damage with this drug than with other drugs.
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Q - Isn't using methamphetamine (meth) like using diet pills?
A - No. Though it is easy to get, methamphetamine is dangerous and addictive. Use by 12 to 17 year olds has increased dramatically in the past few years due to its effect as an appetite suppressant and ability to increase productivity.
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A - Everything but the Kitchen Sink (almost). Meth can be made with many over-the-counter and household chemicals including:
- Drain cleaner
- Lithium from batteries
- Paint thinner
- Ephedrine
- Iodine
- Lye
- Diet Aids
- Camp stove fuel
- Lantern fuel
- Cold tablets
- Alcohol-gasoline additives or rubbing alcohol
Q - How would I know if I saw meth?
A - Street names for methamphetamine include crank, speed, crystal meth, ice, fire, glass, Tina, chalk and tweak.
- Methamphetamine can be bought in many forms including: pills or capsules; a powder that is snorted (can be several colors), or a crystallized smokeable chunk called "ice."
- Methamphetamine is often imported from Mexico, but can also be made easily in a small space in a home, trailer, car, garage or other out-building.
Q - What would draw teens and young adults to using meth?
A - Methamphetamine is popular among teens and college students because it is relatively cheap, and the euphoria it produces can last from 6 to 30 hours without immediate negative side effects. Meth also appeals to teens -- especially girls - who want to lose weight, because it suppresses the appetite. Like other amphetamines, meth can also be used as a "sex drug" because it can increases sex drive and stamina.
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Q - I'm pregnant. Can meth harm my unborn baby?
A - Meth crosses the placenta (afterbirth) and reaches your baby. When you are using, your baby is using. Meth causes your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature to rise. This could cause the placenta to break away, breaking the life line to your baby - this can cause premature birth or even death of the baby. There is no safe amount or safe time in the pregnancy to use meth.
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Q - I can trust my friend to give me pure meth, right?
A - Many teens believe that illegal drugs they consume are pure, and they trust the "friend" who gave it to them. But it's good to use the "7-hand rule" when thinking about where drugs come from. Most drugs will go through the ownership of seven people, all of them trying to make a profit. So they will "cut," "cook," and contaminate a drug with various substances -- which may be potentially poisonous or even more dangerous than the meth itself.
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Q - How can I tell if a friend or family member is using methamphetamine?
A - It may not be easy to tell, and drug users will do everything they can to hide their use of drugs. But here are some signs you can look for if you suspect someone is using meth.
Physical Symptoms
- Nervous activity -- like scratching or talkativeness
- Loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, or extreme anorexia
- Elevated body temperature, heart rate, or blood pressure
- Dilated pupils or blurred vision
- Coughing, runny nose, bad breath, loss of front teeth, or persistent sinus infection
- Skin disorders, especially a bunch of sores that don't seem to heal
Behaviors
- Inability to sleep
- Increased sensitivity to noise
- Increased irritability, dizziness, or confusion
- Extreme secretiveness, such as keeping the curtains drawn at all hours, multiple locks on doors, or putting foil over windows
- Overly picky behavior, like cleaning things that already look clean or picking up small bits of trash or carpet fuzz
- Users who binge may go days without sleep and become violent, aggressive, paranoid, and psychotic
Drug Using Items
- Tools for inhaling drugs, such as razor blades, mirrors, and straws
- Tools for injecting drugs, such as syringes, heating spoons, or surgical tubing
- Tools for smoking drugs, such as pipes (may be glass, store-bought, or home made) or lighters
Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Sleeping for long periods of time - often more than 12 or 16 hours
- Restlessness, depression, confusion, or aggression
- A severe craving for the drug and hallucinations
Q - What do I do if I want to stay Drug-Free?
A - Don't hang around people who use drugs. If your friends start using drugs, find new friends (really!).
Here's what you can tell someone who offers you drugs:
- "No thanks. It's not for me."
- "Why would I want to mess up a good thing? I'm cool the way I am."
- "No way, man. Taking drugs is stupid."
- "Can't do it. Gotta get home."
- "I can't use drugs. I have a big test tomorrow."
- "My parents would kill me."
- "I could get kicked off the team if anyone found out."
If someone in your family is using drugs, ask a school counselor, clergy person, friend's parent, or one of the resources on the Treatment and Resources page for help.
