If you or someone you know is having problems with drugs, help is available at:
Alcohol and Drug 24-Hour Helpline
800-562-1240
Crisis Clinic Resource Hotline
360-586-2800
True North-Student Assistance Services
360-339-8108
Providence St. Peter Chemical Dependency Center
800-332-0465
If you want to learn more about drug abuse or find information on particular drugs, the following links can be useful:
Drug dependence/abuse information by WebMD:
www.webmd.com/mental-health/drug-dependence-abuse
Drug information and parenting advice:
www.theantidrug.com
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s family and parenting guide:
www.family.samhsa.gov
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has information for parents in English and in Spanish, along with a drug guide:
www.drugfree.org
What is meth?
Methamphetamine is an illegal, highly addictive drug. A powerful cousin of amphetamines, it is taken by swallowing in pill form, or by smoking, inhaling or injecting the powdered or crystalline form. It goes by many names, among them crank, speed, ice and crystal.
How does meth affect people who use it?
Depending on how is it taken, it initially produces feelings of confidence, alertness and energy. If injected or smoked, users also get a "rush" or intense pleasure that lasts a short time. Effects can last from four to six hours. When the drug wears off, the supply of brain chemicals producing these good feelings is depleted, and users experience a period of feeling "low." Over time, the good feelings become less; the user has difficulty feeling good or experiencing pleasure even while using the drug.
What effects does meth have on the body?
Because meth is a powerful stimulant, effects include:
Learning and memory problems
Insomnia
Decreased appetite and anorexia
Increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature
Tremors or convulsions
Lung, kidney and liver damage
Irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, which can produce stroke
Decaying teeth
Increased risk of getting or transmitting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and other diseases for users who inject, share needles or have unprotected sex
What signs might indicate that someone is using meth?
Among the symptoms you could notice are:
Tremors
Confusion
Weakness
Hallucinations
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Cough
Irritability
Sweating
Paranoia
Burned lips
Depression
Sore nose
Anger
Headaches
Loss of concentration
Diarrhea
Psychosis
Online resources:
Life or Meth, a resource geared toward 5th- and 6th-graders but that has good information for all ages.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America has news and information for families, and information about meth. They also have a meth resource page.
The Thurston County Meth Action Team’s resource page on "The Meth Monster"
You can also check out the Meth Action Team’s "Meth Monster" brochure.
Meth resources from the federal government
Information on methamphetamine from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
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