Methamphetamine

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Methamphetamine
One of Rural Indiana's Greatest Challenges
Based on a University of Nebraska Extension
program and used with permission by Purdue
Extension, Consumer Family Sciences Purdue
University is an equal opportunity/equal access
institution.
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Worst drug to hit America

• A ferociously addictive
• drug that is spreading
• its hard to imagine overstating
• the magnitude of the meth
• problem.
• - former U.S. Drug Czar
• Barry McCaffrey

Source A Madness Called Meth
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Concerned citizens will

• Develop an awareness of the history of meth.
• Become aware of risk factors that might lead to
  meth addiction.
• Become familiar with meth, the symptoms of meth
  use, and signs of meth production.
• Recognize the impact of meth on families and the
  costs and effects on public health, safety,
  environment, and rural economic development.
• Plan simple strategies to help individuals and
  communities fight this growing problem.

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History of meth

• Amphetamine created in Germany in 1887

• Used widely during WWII by the Nazi and Japanese
  armies

• Japanese kamikaze pilots were documented to be
  high on meth

• Major challenge in postwar Japan

• Biker gangs in California after WWII began to
  distribute meth

Source Nebraska State Patrol
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Indiana teenage stats

• 45 drank alcohol during the past month

21 reported episodic heavy drinking during
the past month
8 have used cocaine

• 13 have used inhalants

Source 2003 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
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Risk factors for youth

• Four domains of human interaction
• Family Individual/Peers Schools Community

Bonding - Positive social and relationship
skills - Positive involvement - Affirmative
recognition
Major transition periods
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What is meth?
Source NIDA Research Report 1998
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What does meth look like?

• Typically an odorless powder that dissolves
  quickly in water
• Another form of meth is clear chunky crystals
  referred to as crystal meth or ice
• May be in the form of small brightly colored
  tablets, referred to as YABA

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How is meth used?

• Injected

• Snorted

• Smoked

• Orally

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Commonly known as

• Speed

• Chalk

• Crystal

• Crank

• Glass

• Ice

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Meth causes

• Increased alertness
• Decreased appetite
• A distorted sense of well-being
• Effects that can last 8 to 24 hours

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Behavior changes Health changes

• Psychotic behavior
• Paranoia
• Aggression
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Delusions
• Mood swings
• Confusion
• Insomnia
• Hallucinations

• Stroke
• Brain damage
• Weight loss
• Death

Source Congressional Research Sites
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Effects of meth on teeth
Source Make Smart Choices Web site
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Effects of meth on dopamine

• Researchers report that the dopamine-producing
  cells in the brain can be damaged after prolonged
  exposure to relatively low levels of
  methamphetamine.

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What are the consequences of meth use?
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Effects of meth(Before)
Source Nebraska State Patrol
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Effects of meth(After)
Source Nebraska State Patrol
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Meth chemicals
alcohol (Isopropyl or rubbing) toluene (brake
cleaner) ether (engine starter) sulfuric acid
(drain cleaner) red phosphorus (matches/road
flares) salt (tablet/rock) iodine (test dip or
flakes/crystal) lithium (batteries)
trichloroethane (gun scrubber) MSM (cutting
agent) sodium metal methyl alcohol (gasoline
additive) muriatic acid anhydrous ammonia (farm
fertilizer) sodium hydroxide (lye) pseudo
ephedrine(cold tablets) ephedrine (cold tablets)
acetone kitty litter Source North Dakota
Gov. Web site
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Anhydrous ammonia
Source Indiana State Police
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An active lab in a home with a vent hood
Source Indiana State Police
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Methamphetamine lab
Source Indiana State Police
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What are signs of a meth lab?

• Items to look for
• Large number of blister packs
• Coffee filters stained pink or brown
• Red, pink, gray, or white stained cookware/jars

• Odors
• Cat urine
• Ammonia
• Ether
• Acetone

Source Congressional Research Sites
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Other signs of a meth lab

• Little or no traffic during the day
• Residents never put out the trash
• Covered windows
• Residents go outside to smoke
• Occupant unemployed but seems to have plenty of
  cash

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If you suspect a meth lab

• Call local law enforcement or the Indiana State
  Police Post Meth Officer

• Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction

• Do not turn any electrical switches this
  could trigger an explosion

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Source As reported by all Indiana law
enforcement agencies
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Environmental effects of meth

• Meth production leaves behind 5 to 6 pounds of
  toxic waste per pound of meth produced.

• Toxic by-products contaminate sites where
  meth is produced, posing serious health and
  environmental hazards to those nearby.

• The cost to clean up one meth lab often
  exceeds 4,000.

Source Koch Crime Institute
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Dismantling a meth lab
Source Indiana State Police
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Impacts on families

• Danger of children being exposed to toxic fumes
• Children are more at risk than adults to
  environmental hazards, as their bodies are
  immature
• Risk of explosion, fire, and chemical burns
• Exposure to weapons, finished drugs, and
  unsanitary conditions

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More impacts on families

• Increase in child abuse and neglect cases
• Increased risk for substance abuse among children
  in later life
• A rise in domestic disputes

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Talking to kids about meth

• Understand why kids choose meth
• Take a stand against drugs
• Listen to what kids say
• Set rules and boundaries
• Start teaching young children about drugs
• Educate yourself
• Dont nag or preach
• Get involved in kids lives

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Watch list

• Change in friends
• Negative changes in school
• Increased secrecy
• Use of incense or room deodorizers
• Subtle changes in conversation
• Change in clothes
• Evidence of drug paraphernalia
• Evidence of inhalant products
• Bottles of eye drops
• Missing prescription drugs

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Drug and alcohol abuse implicated in juvenile
crime

• 70 of violent offenses1

• 72 of property offenses1

• 80 of other offenses, such as vandalism and
  disorderly conduct1

• 40 of Indianas drug-related crime is committed
  by juveniles2

Sources 1 National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse Criminal Neglect study, Jan.
2005, and 2 Department of Justice
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Meth affects you
Many meth addicts resort to crime to support
their habit.
These crimes range from mail theft, check
forgery, credit card fraud, and identity theft to
shoplifting, robbery, and assault.
Source National Drug Intelligence Center
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Federal sentences by drug type FY 1998
Powdered Cocaine    Crack Cocaine  
Heroin    Marijuana    Methamphetamine
Source U.S. Sentencing Commission
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Special rural concern

• To discourage ammonia theft
• Plan tank deliveries for daylight hours
• Install valve locks or MethWatch tamper tags
• Place tanks in easily observed areas
• Bleed pressure and remove tank hoses when not in
  use
• Additives are being researched

Source Lincoln Journal Star Article
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Hidden dangers

• Meth lab operators are discarding waste materials
  in ditches and other remote areas of our
  community. Leaders of scouts, 4-H, church
  organizations, and Adopt-A-Highway and Keep
  America Beautiful groups should be made aware of
  potential dangers.

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How can I help?

• Individual
• Parent
  Student
• Community member
• Each of us by doing our part, be it big or
  small, can help fight meth. We can make a
  difference in maintaining the quality of life
  that we desire in our rural communities.

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Purdue Extension Consumer and Family
Sciences Adapted by Karen DeZarn and Karen
Zotz With permission from the University of
Nebraska Extension Educators/authors Sue
Brown Marilyn Fox