NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION METHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESS Methamphetamine

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION • METHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESS

Methamphetamine is a Central Nervous System Stimulant. Meth has little medical use and has a high potential for abuse.

METHAMPHETAMINE METH, ICE, CRANK, CRYSTAL l METH IS A STIMULANT AND CAUSES YOUR BODY TO OPERATE AT AN EXCITED RATE. ALL OF YOUR THOUGHT AND BODY FUNCTIONS ARE AFFECTED. THIS DRUG HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE AND A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ADDICTION. l

How is Meth Used? § § Users snort, swallow, smoke or inject meth Common items used are pipes, glass piping, tin foil, ect.

Who’s Using Meth No typical meth user § § § Lower to upper class can be meth user Almost half are female They are educated with either a High School or College degree White, Hispanic, African American Any religious affiliation Young, old, teenagers with most users in the 20 -30 range

How is Meth made?

Smurfs

Hazardous combination of Toxic/Flammable/Explosive Chemicals

7 YEARS

Lithium Strips l l l When lithium mixes with water its highly corrosive Exposure resulting in shortness of breath and low arterial blood oxygen. Lithium is a flammable solid Lithium is a soft, silvery-white metal that becomes yellowish upon exposure to moist air. It is soluble in liquid ammonia, producing a blue solution. Ingestion: In large amounts, lithium would primarily affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the central nervous system (CNS), and the kidneys.

Anhydrous Ammonia

Red Phosphorous

6 YEARS

Dopamine Release Food = 100 § Sex = 200 § Cocaine = 350 § Meth = 1, 250 §

§ § No rehabs in our area for under 18 years of age Young people are now being diagnosed with § § § Alzheimer's Parkinsons Heart attack Stroke For every pound of meth produced, 5 to 7 pounds of toxic waste results.

Short-term effects of Methamphetamine § § § § Increased attention Decreased fatigue Increased activity Decreased appetite Extreme happiness and rush Increased respiration Dependence Paranoia

Long-term effects of Methamphetamine § § § § § Hallucinations Mood swings Repetitive motor activity Stroke Weight loss Increased heart rate and blood pressure Flushed or tense appearance Dilated pupils Bloodshot eyes

Long-term effects of Methamphetamine cont. § § § § § A chemical odor on their breath Excessive sweating Rapid speech Inability to sleep or eat Severe weight loss Rotting teeth Scars and open sores Memory loss Depression

Long-term effects of Methamphetamine cont. § § § § § Teeth grinding Restlessness Tremors Convulsion Cardiovascular collapse Kidney complications Brain damage Liver damage Blood clots Crank bugs

Four Year Progression…

31 Years Old 35 Years Old

At times it only take months. Three month Progression

38 Years Old 3 months later And yet. . . Americans continue to use METH.

Current Status Meth has become the most dangerous drug problem of small-town America. Traffickers make and distribute the drug in some of our country's most rural areas. Twelve to fourteen year olds that live in smaller towns are 100% more likely to use meth than those who live in larger cities.

Recovery Rate Even after 7 years of rehabilitation, a meth addict still only has a 6% chance of never using meth again.