METH KILLS
Virginia's Fight Against
Methamphetamine Abuse
- What is methamphetamine?
- What are the side effects of methamphetamine?
- What does meth look like?
- How is meth used?
- Who uses methamphetamine?
- Why present this information to high school students?
- Is methamphetamine a problem in Virginia?
- What are the signs of methamphetamine abuse?
- What are the street terms for methamphetamine?
- What does methamphetamine cost?
- Why is methamphetamine so dangerous?
- Other resources
- Where can I find help?
Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant, or “upper.” It is manufactured by combining common household items like battery acid, lye, nail polish remover, and ephedrine. It is often manufactured in clandestine laboratories in the United States and in “super labs” in Mexico. Methamphetamine is highly addictive. In fact, only about 7% of meth addicts stay clean and don’t go back. <top>
What are the side effects of methamphetamine?
The side effects of Methamphetamine can last for days. Methamphetamine causes anxiety, paranoia, irritability, nausea, depression, and brain damage. In addition, meth makes you age faster than normal: your teeth rot, your lungs are burned by meth smoke, and the meth user will often pick at his/her skin until scabs appear. Meth users will often become extremely paranoid which results in violent behavior. <top>
Typically methamphetamine is a white powder that will dissolve easily in water. Methamphetamine can also come in small, brightly colored tablets, or in clear, chunky crystals. <top>
Methamphetamine can be injected, snorted, smoked, or swallowed. <top>
According to a 2004 National Survey, approximately 11.7 million Americans ages 12 and older reported trying methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. Among students surveyed as part of the 2005 Monitoring the Future study, 3.1% of eighth graders, 4.1% of tenth graders, and 4.5% of twelfth graders reported lifetime use of methamphetamine. During 2004, 5.2% of college students and 9% of young adults ages 19-28 reported lifetime use of methamphetamine.
(source: Drug Facts, Office of National Drug Control Policy, http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/methamphetamine/index.html) <top>
Why present this information to high school students?
Investigators are finding that methamphetamine users often start using methamphetamine when they are young adults. By teaching high school teens about the dangers of methamphetamine, and the awful physical affects it has on the body, we hope that teens will never even try methamphetamine. <top>
Is methamphetamine a problem in Virginia?
Methamphetamine affects every city and every town. No community is immune. However, in Virginia, the most concentrated problem areas include far southwest Virginia communities and the Shenandoah Valley. State, local, and federal law enforcement are working together to stop the flow of methamphetamine into Virginia. <top>
What are the signs of methamphetamine abuse?
*scabs on the skin
*rotting teeth
*dilated pupils
*agitation
*paranoia
*loss of weight or appetite <top>
What are the street terms for methamphetamine?
Crank, Ice, Speed, Poor Man’s Cocaine, Glass. <top>
What does methamphetamine cost?
Retail prices depend on the region of the country, but range from $400 to $3,000 per ounce. In Virginia, the cost of an ounce of methamphetamine ranges from $800 to $1,200. The average dose or “hit” is approximately a quarter of a gram. <top>
Why is methamphetamine so dangerous?
80% of methamphetamine users are hooked after the first try, and only 7% of meth addicts are able to stay clean and don’t go back. In addition, the manufacture of methamphetamine is extremely dangerous because the ingredients used are highly flammable and explosive. <top>
Other resources:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw/
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/meth_factsheet.html
www.justthinktwice.com
http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/methamphetamine.html
www.MethResources.gov
<top>
Roanoke:
Lewis Gale Center for Behavioral Health: 540- 776-1100
24 hour hotline: 540-776-1100 or 1-800-541-9992
Mount Regis 540-389-4761
24 hour hotline: 1-800-477-3447
Galax:
Galax Treatment Center Inc. Life Center of Galax
276-236-2994
Lynchburg:
Pathways Treatment Center 434-947-4455
Newport News:
Riverside New Foundations 757-594-3246
24 hour hotline: 757-827-1001
Virginia Beach
New Bridges Outpatient Rehabilitation Center 757-455-8283
Richmond:
Recovery Center of Richmond 804-560-5400 (also 24 hour hotline)
Hampton Roads:
Hampton Roads Clinic 757-827-8430
Annadale:
Harrison House of Virginia 703-256-6474