Crystal Meth
by Nemat Haroon
What is Crystal Meth?
It is extremely addictive and most users get hooked after their first try.
An example of this can be seen below
“I tried it once and BOOM! I was addicted,” said one meth addict who lost his family, friends, his profession as a musician and ended up homeless.
10 Years of Meth Use
Meth Lab
Mutiple Types of Meth
What are some of the ingredients of Crystal Meth?
Crystal Meth Ingrediants
Meth is commonly manufactured in illegal, hidden laboratories, mixing various forms of amphetamine alongside other chemicals.
Some Extremely Toxic Chemicals used to create Crystal Meth
- Acetone- This is found in nail polish remover and paint thinners
- Lithium- From batteries
- Toluene- solvent used as fuel additive, in paint thinners, nail polish, brake cleaner
- Hydrochloric acid- Highly corrosive mineral acid used to remove rust from steel and refine metal
- Pseudoephedrine- found in cold medications
- Red Phosphorus- found in explosives such as road flares and on matchboxes
- Sodium hydroxide- also known as lye, in drain cleaners
- Sulfuric acid- found in toilet bowl and drain cleaners
- Anhydrous ammonia- found in fertilizer and countertop cleaner
- Lantern fuel or lighter fluid
- Ether found in starting fluid
- Antifreeze
- Iodine crystals
Image of Crystal Meth Ingrdiants
Effects of Crystal Meth on the Body
When taken, meth and crystal meth create a false sense of well-being and energy, and so a person will tend to push his body faster and further than it is meant to go. Thus, drug users can experience a severe “crash” or physical and mental breakdown after the effects of the drugs wear off.
Because continued use of the drug decreases natural feelings of hunger, users can experience extreme weight loss. Negative effects can also include disturbed sleep patterns, hyperactivity, nausea, delusions of power, increased aggressiveness and irritability.
Other serious effects can include insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia.In some cases, use can cause convulsions that lead to death.
Short Term Effects of Crystal Meth
SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
- Loss of appetite
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
- Dilation of pupils
- Disturbed sleep patterns
- Nausea
- Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior
- Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability
- Panic and psychosis
- Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses
Long Term Effects of Crystal Meth
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
- Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
- Liver, kidney and lung damage
- Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
- Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
- Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
- Malnutrition, weight loss
- Severe tooth decay
- Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
- Strong psychological dependence
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease,3 stroke and epilepsy
Risks of Using Crystal Meth
Users of crystal meth can only guess at its strength, so the risk of overdosing, even with seemingly small quantities, is always an issue. Overdosing can lead to convulsions, respiratory and circulatory collapse, coma and death.
Any form of drug abuse or addiction comes at a cost, and crystal meth is no different. Crystal meth addiction can cause permanent life-altering changes. Work, relationships, and the ability to live day to day are affected. Crime, drug busts, restricted job prospects, visa denials, arrests and serious healthcare issues are just some of the ways crystal meth use can disrupt your life.
Crystal Meth in Youth
Methamphetamine use has moved beyond rave culture and into mainstream society. While crystal remains a popular recreational or club drug, users have expanded to include a wide range of groups, including students, youth in the suburbs, professionals, young mothers and street youth. Recent surveys report that 68-73% of street-involved youth in Vancouver have used crystal methamphetamine at least once.
How to get help in Vancouver
Website: http://www.covenanthousebc.org
Crisis Program Number: 604-685-7474
Address: Covenant House Vancouver
575 Drake Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B 4K8
Website: http://crystalmethbc.ca/index.php
Phone Number: 604) 660-9415
Acroustic Poem for Crystal Meth
Repulsive
Yuck
Strong
Toxic
Alarming
Long-Term
Marred
Evil
Tomb
Hurt