What is Meth?

 
 
 
 
   
 

There is a very scary thing going on in the schools right now that we all need to be aware  of.
                       
There  is a type of crystal meth going around that looks like strawberry pop rocks (the candy that sizzles and 'pops' in your mouth). It also smells like strawberry and it is being handed out to kids in school yards. They are calling it strawberry meth or strawberry quick.
                       
Kids are  ingesting this thinking that it is candy and being rushed off to the hospital in dire condition. It also comes in chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape and orange.
                       
Please  instruct your children not to accept candy from strangers and even not to accept candy that looks like this from a friend (who may have been given it and believed it is candy) and to take any that they may have to a teacher, principal, etc. immediately.
                       

  • Meth is a powerful synthetic stimulant,
  • A variation of the amphetamine molecule
    • Amphetamines stimulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
  • “Meth” is short for methamphetamine
  • Meth is sometimes referred to as an “upper”
  • A white, odorless crystal like powder that readily dissolves in water or alcohol 

Street Names

  • Speed, Meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass, strawberry meth or strawberry quick.

Who uses Meth?

  • The growth of amphetamine abuse rose to so-called epidemic proportions during the early 2000’s. 
  • It is reported that worldwide more than 33 million people used amphetamines and methamphetamines in 2003. 

                                                                                                                                               
Routes of Administration

  • Inhaled by smoking crystals
  • Injection

Short Term Effects

  • Appetite suppression
  • Increase respiration, heart rate and blood pressure
  • Diluted pupils
  • Dry mouth
  • Fever
  • Sweating
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Flushing
  • Pallor
  • Rapid and irregular heartbeat
  • Tremors
  • Loss of coordination
  • Physical collapse
  • Increase wakefulness
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Rapid and irregular heartbeat
  • Increased blood pressure
  • May feel restless, anxious and moody

Injecting creates a sudden increase in blood pressure that can cause:

  • Death from stroke
  • High fever
  • Heart failure

Long Term Effects

  • Irreversible stroke producing damage
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Heart and blood vessel toxicity
  • Malnutrition
  • Bad gums and rotted teeth
  • Irritability
  • Paranoia
  • Anxiety
  • Aggression
  • mental confusion
  • poor judgment
  • impaired memory
  • hallucinations

Signs & Symptoms of Meth Use

  • talkativeness
  • irritability
  • insomnia
  • paranoia
  • aggression
  • blood pressure increase
  • heart rate increase
  • increased respiration
  • reduce appetite
  • subdue thirst
  • active
  • restless
  • confident
  • anxious
  • weight loss

References:

  • Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association Resource Center, “What are Amphetamines/Methamphetamines?” (October 1998)