MethamphetamineDrug or Poison?

Stiliyan YankovCrime Prevention and Public Order Protection2nd yearVarna Free UniversityAcademic year: 2013/2014Project coordinator: Diana Mihaylova

CONTENTS:Crystal methTypes of useWhy do people start using it?Physical effectsCrank BugsShort term effectsLong term effectsWhere are the meth labs?

Crystal MethIt has many names: Tina, Crank, Croak, Crypto, Crystal Ice, Fire, Glass, Meth, Tweek, White Cross. No matter what you call it, it's still methamphetamine.

Types of use !Amphetamine or Methamphetamine?SmokedInjectedSnortedSwallowed

Why Do People Start Using it?Improve mental and physical performanceAlertnessWeight lossEnergyTo Feel really goodSocial Influences: Media, Friends, Family

Physical Effects (User)Increased body temperatureIncreased blood pressureWeight loss, malnutritionIncreased heart rate SweatingInsomnia

Physical Effects (User)Uncontrollable/involuntary body movementsShortness of breathSeizuresContinuous/excessive dilation of pupilsDamage to internal organs; lungs, liver, heart, brainOpen dry sores, Crank BugsMeth MouthSevere Burns

Crank Bugs:

The body's natural reaction is to try and eliminate the toxins. Users itch and scratch which causes the open sores.

2.5 Years Later (Age 42)

Meth Mouth

Short Term EffectsIncreased wakefulness, breathing, and heart rateDecreased appetiteDry mouthOverheatingTremors and ConvulsionsDepression as it wears off

Long-Term EffectsAnxiety, confusion, and sleep problemsHallucinations and delusionsMethamphetamine PsychosisPsychotic behaviorChronic depressionSevere weight lossBrain damage

Brain Damage?

Poor Mans Cocaine-Components Readily available-Mom and Pop METH LABS- suburban/urban/rural environments-Easy to Make-Cheap to make-Cost 10% of finished product just to make it-Sells for same price as cocaine

Where are these Meth Labs?Houses Mobile HomesBusinesses ApartmentsHotels, MotelsGaragesPole Barns, ShedsStorage FacilitiesCars, Semi-trailersFields, Parking Lots Remote Locations

Abandoned buildings such as the school house pictured above, are popular places for impromptu meth lab sites.

Detrimental Affects of these Chemicals

The concern is that these chemicals can and will:React to AirReact to WaterReact to Shock MovementReact to Each OtherAttack Eyes, Lungs, KidneysBurn SkinKill youHouse Explosions are not Uncommon!

For every one pound of meth, six pounds of waste is created.

Crime:

Both teenagers and adults addicted to the drug and who have no income to pay for their habit, may steal valuables from their own homes or even their friends' homes. High on meth, there's no telling what a person would do if provoked - people have been killed for not owing up to a drug payment or coming through on a transaction.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !

*Do you see the red area in the comparison subject? See how much red there is and how deep it is? That means that dopamine is really active in those areas and that the comparison subject is able to feel lots of pleasure from everyday activities. See the red in the meth abuser, a lot less. This means the meth abuser feels less pleasure, or even no pleasure at all, even from every day activities that were once highly pleasurable, such as eating. This damage and inability to feel pleasure from normal activities can be very long lasting, even permanent. Unfortunately, the abuser may only be able to feel pleasure from taking Crystal Meth.

*Northern Colorado March 2004. Law enforcement authorities believe that a wave of automobile thefts is the work of methamphetamine makers and addicts, who not only sell the contents to support their addiction but also use the vehicles themselves to house small mobile meth labs.Fort Thomas, Arizona December 2003. Charges were filed against individuals accused of burglarizing two homes to support their meth habit.Edmonton, Canada December 2003. Police have reported thefts of tools and appliances from homes under construction. They strongly suspect that meth users are responsible for the majority of these thefts.