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METH:. What’s cooking 2006 Mr. Gravine. Overview. What is Meth? What are the effects? Who uses Meth? How Does it impact others? How can we fix the problem? Where can I get more information?. Meth. Methamphetamine Speed Uppers Chalk Crystal Glass
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METH: What’s cooking 2006 Mr. Gravine
Overview • What is Meth? • What are the effects? • Who uses Meth? • How Does it impact others? • How can we fix the problem? • Where can I get more information?
Meth Methamphetamine Speed Uppers Chalk Crystal Glass Crank Ice Most widely abused illicit drug in the world after marijuana.
What is Meth? • Highly addictive stimulant • Odorless, bitter-tasting, white crystalline powder • Smoked, snorted, injected, taken orally
Where does meth come from? • Meth/many ingredients come from Mexico • Secret laboratories can spring up quickly • U.S. productions and availability of meth are increasing
The effects of Meth • Dramatically affects the brain • Alertness/wakefulness • Feeling of increase strength/renewed energy • Feeling of invulnerability • Feelings of increased confidence/competence
What’s the downside? Meth users suffer severe effects and consequences: • Depression • Binge and crash pattern of use • Crash phase-”tweaking”- Often includes feelings of anxiety and emptiness • Addiction • Brain damage
What comes after the “high”? • Irritability/aggressiveness/frustration • Anxiety • Depression • Fatigue • Paranoia • Hallucinations or delusions • Intense cravings for the drug
Long-term effects • Brain damage • Memory problems • Insomnia • Decreased appetite • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Breathing problems • Increased risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B&C and other diseases caused by using needles.
Anyone can be a meth user Truck drivers White collar workers Restaurant, construction, and factory workers Gay men People with Aids Students Youth at all night parties People seeking weight loss Athletes People producing Meth
Who uses meth? • Age of first use: Teen • Easy to go from casual use to addiction • In 1999, Almost 8% of high school seniors reported taking meth at least once • Almost 9 million Americans reported using meth
Trends in number of emergency department mentions of methamphetamine, 1997-2001
Meth production and it’s effects • Over-the-counter ingredients • Easily made at home • Manufactured= “cooking” • Dangerous chemicals • Labs can and do explode unexpectedly
Non-users suffer too… • Domestic violence and child neglect • Threats to physical safety of community member: • One in six meth labs explode or catch on fire • Every pound of meth leaves behind 5-6 pounds of toxic waste • Property values decline, crime increases
Treatments • Drug education • Family and group therapies • Self-help groups • Medication
Preventing meth use • Requires the entire community working together. Church Families Schools Service groups Media Law enforcement Social service Businesses Treatment agencies Health organizations
Preventing meth production • Government must play an active role • Provide public safety • Reduce demand • Regulate chemical ingredients • Protect children
Review • Meth is a highly addictive drug used by people from all walks of life. • Dramatically affects the the brain. • Production of meth is very dangerous. • Preventative measures include community involvement. • Contact your local authorities for more information.
Impact of Meth • Video 1 • Video 2 • Video 3 • Video 4
Resourse • SAMHSA’S National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686 www.SAMHSA.gov • Informational Web Sites www.nida.nih.gov www.clubdrugs.org www.cadca.org
Meth: What’s cooking Produced by: Mr. Gravine Health and Physical Education Teacher in the Riverside School District Grades 7-12