Appearance: Often transported in the form of small whitish crystals, these crystals may take on a yellowish or brownish tint in samples of especially poor purity. Usually smoked as a small crystal or ground into a fine powder or dissolved before use. May be carried in tiny zip-lock bags or wrapped in packets of cling wrap. Small oral doses may be wrapped in tiny paper "bombs" for swallowing.
Promised Effects: Like other amphetamine stimulants Meth offers a feeling of increased energy, well being, and mental sharpness. Appetite is decreased and wakefulness and libido are increased, making the drug especially attractive at parties. Strong euphoria can be experienced in larger doses. Effects can last as long as 24 hours. It can be taken orally, by snorting, or by injection.
The Truth: These effects are due to Meth's influence on dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. This causes the brain to strongly crave the drug after its effects have worn off, making this drug one of the most highly addictive, and many users may find themselves addicted after only one use, though the victim may not realize it. Continued use invariably leads to larger doses being craved. Over time, the drug's devastating effects become increasingly apparent, even though the user may stay in denial of the obvious changes in their bodies. Meth is highly neurotoxic, causing permanent changes in brain activity and leading to an increasing tendency toward violence, paranoid schizophrenia, depression and suicidal ideation. This can make the addict dangerous to the public at large.
The outward physical changes can be even more obvious. The victim's skin becomes less and less able to heal itself, leading to open sores called "Crank Craters". "Meth Mouth" refers to the dry gums, teeth grinding and premature tooth loss experienced by users.
Personal Notes from the Field: Many of the Meth users we see in Emergency Departments throughout southwest Missouri are admitted due to injuries caused by their tendency to violence and unsafe driving. Well before the lab results are finished, we can usually identify the drug problem by observing the "Craters" and "Meth Mouth". I have treated numerous patients who had very few teeth left even though they were well under the age of 35.
For more information on Methamphetamine, go to:
National Institue on Drug Abuse - Methamphetamine
