1) What is methamphetamine?

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems of the brain. Chemically, it is closely related to the drug amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamines are greater (http://www.gdcada.org/statistics/meth.htm)

Caution: Methamphetamine is addictive.

2) What are the short-term effects of methamphetamine use?

The central nervous system (CNS) actions that even small amounts of methamphetamine can cause include increased wakefulness, decreased appetite, increased respiration and hyperthermia. Other CNS effects include pounding heart, irritability, insomnia, confusion, memory loss, tremors, rotten teeth, paranoia, aggressiveness, coma and stroke.

Caution: Methamphetamine use can result in seizures and death.

(http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_meth.asp?from=home).

3) What are some long-term effects of methamphetamine use?

Methamphetamine causes increased heart rate and can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain. Over time, methamphetamine reduces levels of dopamine (which stimulates brain cells) resulting in symptoms like those found in diseases that reflect a severe movement disorder. Other effects of methamphetamine include respiratory problems, extreme anorexia, pounding blood pressure, sleep interference, mood swings, unpredictability, and tremors. (http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/drug_info_meth.asp?from+home)

Additionally, chronic use of methamphetamine can result in a tolerance for the drug consequently resulting in taking higher doses, taking it more frequently or changing their method of ingestion. Furthermore, chronic use can lead to psychotic behaviors including intense paranoia and auditory hallucinations and rages that can result in violent episodes. Chronic users sometimes develop sores on their bodies from mild to extreme scratching known as “crank- bugs” which results from the user having delusions that there are bugs crawling under the skin (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/methamph/).

Caution: Methamphetamine use can result in cardiovascular collapse and death.

4) What does methamphetamine look like?

Typically, methamphetamine is a white powder that is easily dissolved in water; however, methamphetamine can also be found as clear chunky crystals resembling sea salt or rock salt called crystal meth or ice. The color can vary considerably, depending on its purity and method of manufacture. In its cheapest and most toxic form called crank, the drug takes on varying shades of greasy-brown, sometimes with black flecks (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/meth_factsheet.html)

Caution: Methamphetamine comes in a variety of forms; therefore, it can be mistaken for something as common as table salt or sugar.

5) What are the street terms for methamphetamine?

Street Terms http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/methamph/

Caution: This list is not inclusive. New names are constantly being created to avoid police detection.

6) How is methamphetamine used?

Methamphetamine can be smoked using a butane torch where meth crystals are melted in a glass pipe or water pipe known as a bong. Once the drug becomes gaseous (smokes) it is inhaled into the lungs

Meth can be injected directly into a vein with a needle and syringe. This method is known as slamming. Meth can also be given intramuscularly by injecting the drug directly into a muscle (muscling) or under the skin known (skin-popping).

Methamphetamine can also be swallowed in pill form by putting the drug into empty gelatin capsules. It can also be mixed into virtually any liquid.

Intranasal absorption is another method of use. A short straw or rolled up dollar bill is the tool used to snort meth crystals that have been crushed into a fine powder. “Hot ailing” a method that is highly addictive is when the stem of a glass is heated until red- hot and placed over crushed meth crystals resulting in a vapor that is inhaled.

Lastly, users may inject into the rectum meth crystals dissolved in water using a needle free syringe. This method is called booty bump (http://www.gdcada.org/statistics/meth/meth3.htm).

Caution: The variety of routes that methamphetamine can be administered may make it difficult to detect.

7) Where is methamphetamine manufactured and how accessible is it?

Methamphetamine is manufactured primarily in Mexico and in California; however, growth of independent labs across the nation is on the rise. Labs can be found in all parts of the country expanding to the southeast and midatlantic states. This expansion is partly attributable to the accessibility of the ingredients used in the manufacturing of the drug. Products such as drain openers, battery acid and brake cleaner may be some of the ingredients used in the manufacturing of meth. Over the counter cold medications that contain ephedrine may also be used. Additionally, the availability methamphetamine is illustrated by increasing numbers of seizures, arrests, indictments and sentences (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov).

Caution: This drug can be made virtually anywhere. Be aware of unidentifiable odors at your work place, schools, residences, etc.

8) What are the possible signs of methamphetamine use?

Inability to sleep, increased sensitivity to noise, nervous physical activity like scratching, irritability, dizziness, confusion, extreme anorexia, tremors, seizures, increased heart rate and blood pressure, presence of drug paraphernalia such as razor blades, straws, glass pipes, mirrors, syringes, spoons or surgical tubing (http://www.freevibe.com/drug_facts/html).

Caution: Be aware of unusual behavioral patterns.

9) What treatment is currently being used for methamphetamine addiction?

There are no pharmacological treatments for methamphetamine dependence. Antidepressant medications can be used to combat the depressive symptoms of withdrawal. The most effective treatment for methamphetamine addiction is behavioral interventions, which modify a patient's thinking, expectancies, and behavior while increasing coping skills to deal with life stressors (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov).

Caution: This is not an addiction that can be treated pharmacology.

10) How much does methamphetamine cost?

Prices for methamphetamine vary throughout the country; however, at the distribution level, prices range $3500 per pound in parts of California and Texas up to $21,00 a pound in the southeast and northeast. Retail prices range from $400 to $3000 per ounce (http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/meth_factsheet.html).

Methamphetamine Prices

(http://www.kci.org/meth_info/faq_meth.htm)

Powdered Meth

Different Forms of Meth

Components for the use of meth