Meth (Methamphetamine)
Olivia Haglund
What?How?
- Methamphetamine is a stimulant a type of drug that speeds up the central nervous system
- It is usually in crystal powder form and is white or off white
- Meth can be snorted,swallowed, smoked,or injected with a syringe
- If methamphetamine is smoked/injected, a quick rush of "highness" will occur, which does not occur when swallowed or snorted
- Meth is known as a "club drug" because of how often it is taken at clubs or large parties
- Meth is usally made with a base of cold pills mixed with other dangerous chemicals including battery acid, drain cleaner, and antifreeze
Effects
Methamphetamine increases levels of dopamine-creating a quick high for a few minutes, but the effects of meth can last up to 14 hours.
Effects:Long Term
- Fast heart+breathing rates
- High blood pressure+ body temperature
- Hypothermia with large doses
- Brain damage & severe mental problems
- Paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions
- Experience a feeling of insects crawling under skin
- Constant scratching leads to open sores
- Severe dental problems-"meth mouth"
- Tremors due to the decrease of dopamine
- Respiratory issues & organ damage
- Depression
- Repetitive & compulsive activity
- Personality changes, mood disturbance & psychotic behavior
- Weight loss/anorexia
- Memory loss & strange/violent behavior
These long term effects will affect the person abusing these drugs long after they have stopped, even for the rest of their life.
Short Term Effects
There are also short terms effects to methamphetamine, usually occurring during the high
- Dilated pupils
- Dry mouth
- Wakefulness & Insomnia
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Decreased appetite
Extra Facts
- In 2007, 4.5% of American High School seniors had used meth
- number of drug related treatments due to methamphetamine in the US tripled from 3% in 1996 to 9% in 2006
- Lethergy is a lack of enthusiasm/ energy
- Amphetamine is the drug that methamphetamine derives from
- Binge is uncontrolled use of drugs or alcohol and for meth can last 3-15 days
- Tweaking
- Meth is widely abused in the Czech Republic and increasingly abused in Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and Latvia (20-60%)
- 93% of those in treatment for methamphetamine return to it
- Began widespread use in WWII when both sides used it to help troops stay awake
- In the 1950s it was used as a weight loss supplement and a way to fight depression
Meth Street Names
- Beanies
- Brown
- Chalk
- Crank
- Chicken Feed
- Redneck cocaine
- Wash
- Hot ice
- Crystal glass
- Quartz
- Speed
- Getgo
- Yaba (Southeast Asia)
BIBLIOGRAPHY!
Works Cited
"Amphetamines." Amphetamines RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
"Crystal Methamphetamine." Crystal Methamphetamine Use Statistics - The Meth Epidemic - Drug-Free World. Foundation for a Drug Free World, 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.
"Methamphetamine Facts." Methamphetamine Facts. N.p., 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2016.
"Redirect Notice." Redirect Notice. Meth Alliance of Paulding, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016.