MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Join Together Northern Nevada and the Join Together Northern Nevada and the Meth Community Response AllianceMeth Community Response Alliance

MethamphetaminesMethamphetaminesand Washoe Countyand Washoe County

Meth Community Response Meth Community Response AllianceAlliance

Prevention, Treatment, & RecoveryPrevention, Treatment, & Recovery Law Enforcement (DEA, US DOJ, RPD, SPD, SET)Law Enforcement (DEA, US DOJ, RPD, SPD, SET) Tribal (Reno-Sparks Indian Colony)Tribal (Reno-Sparks Indian Colony) MediaMedia Family & Drug CourtsFamily & Drug Courts Washoe County School DistrictWashoe County School District Public HealthPublic Health Private IndustryPrivate Industry Social Services – Nevada DCFS, Nevada Division of Mental Social Services – Nevada DCFS, Nevada Division of Mental

Health Services, Washoe County Department of Juvenile Health Services, Washoe County Department of Juvenile Services, Washoe County Social Services Services, Washoe County Social Services

““To define and address the problem of To define and address the problem of methamphetamine in our community in a strategic methamphetamine in our community in a strategic

and collaborative way”and collaborative way”

Information Gathered from Information Gathered from MeetingsMeetings

COMMUNITY MEETINGS COMMUNITY MEETINGS 300 Total Attendees300 Total Attendees Varying awareness by location Varying awareness by location

(Galena and North Valleys = No (Galena and North Valleys = No Problem, Hug = many users)Problem, Hug = many users)

Crime is the biggest associated Crime is the biggest associated problemproblem

Most effected populations = Most effected populations = youth, low-income.youth, low-income.

What should be done = more What should be done = more community meetings, meth community meetings, meth prevention messages in schoolprevention messages in school

POLICY-MAKER SUMMITPOLICY-MAKER SUMMIT150 Total Attendees150 Total Attendees Focused on raising awareness of Focused on raising awareness of

elected officials regarding effects elected officials regarding effects on community and need for on community and need for prevention, enforcement, and prevention, enforcement, and treatment to work together.treatment to work together.

What is methamphetamine?What is methamphetamine?aka: meth, speed, go, crank, ice, aka: meth, speed, go, crank, ice,

crystal, glass, chalk, peanut crystal, glass, chalk, peanut butterbutter

Powerful addictive Powerful addictive psychoactive stimulant psychoactive stimulant – target dopamine– target dopamine

Increases energy & Increases energy & sexuality, decreases sexuality, decreases appetiteappetite

Smoked, snorted, orally Smoked, snorted, orally ingested or injectedingested or injected

Paraphernalia includes: Paraphernalia includes: razor blades, mirrors, razor blades, mirrors, straw syringes, spoons, straw syringes, spoons, light bulbs & surgical light bulbs & surgical tubingtubing

Effects can last 4-24 Effects can last 4-24 hours depending on hours depending on the method of use the method of use (onset of effects are (onset of effects are within 5-10 within 5-10 seconds)seconds)

““Tweaking” can last Tweaking” can last 24-36 hours24-36 hours

Binge & CrashBinge & Crash

00

5050

100100

150150

200200

00 6060 120120 180180Time (min)Time (min)

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NAc shellNAc shell

EmptyEmptyBoxBox FeedingFeeding

Source: Di Chiara et al.Source: Di Chiara et al.

FOODFOOD

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100100

200200

300300

400400

00 11 22 33 44 5 hr5 hrTime After CocaineTime After Cocaine

% o

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DADADOPACDOPACHVAHVA

AccumbensAccumbens COCAINECOCAINE

00100100200200300300400400500500600600700700800800900900

1000100011001100

00 11 22 33 44 5 hr5 hr

Time After AmphetamineTime After Amphetamine

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DADADOPACDOPACHVAHVA

AccumbensAccumbens AMPHETAMINEAMPHETAMINE

The Worst Drug To Hit America

What does meth look like? What does meth look like? How is it made? How is it made?

Typically an odorless Typically an odorless powder that powder that dissolves quickly in dissolves quickly in waterwater

Another form of Another form of meth is clear chunky meth is clear chunky crystals referred to crystals referred to as crystal meth or as crystal meth or iceice

May be in the form May be in the form of small brightly of small brightly colored tablets, colored tablets, referred to as YABAreferred to as YABA

Over the counter Over the counter drugs containing drugs containing pseudoephedrinepseudoephedrine

IodineIodine Anhydrous ammoniaAnhydrous ammonia Starter fluid or de-Starter fluid or de-

icericer Drain cleanerDrain cleaner Lithium batteriesLithium batteries Muriatic/Muriatic/

HydrochloricHydrochloricAcidAcid

Symptoms and effects of meth Symptoms and effects of meth use/abuseuse/abuse

SYMPTOMSSYMPTOMS Increased alertness & Increased alertness &

activity, with a feeling of activity, with a feeling of euphoria and self confidenceeuphoria and self confidence

Mood disturbances & Mood disturbances & delusional sensory delusional sensory experiences, such as bugs experiences, such as bugs under the skinunder the skin

Anxiety, Fatigue, Anxiety, Fatigue, Depression, Delusions, Mood Depression, Delusions, Mood Swings, Insomnia, and Swings, Insomnia, and ConfusionConfusion

Elevated heart rate, Elevated heart rate, respiration and body respiration and body temperaturetemperature

Blurred vision & dizzinessBlurred vision & dizziness Welts on the skinWelts on the skin Dilated pupilsDilated pupils Severe weight lossSevere weight loss

EFFECTSEFFECTS StrokeStroke Brain damage, Brain damage,

similar to similar to Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease

Weight lossWeight loss DeathDeath Psychotic behavior, Psychotic behavior,

Paranoia, Paranoia, AggressionAggression

EffectsEffects of meth on… TEETH of meth on… TEETH Results from decreased Results from decreased

saliva (dry mouth), saliva (dry mouth), increased sugar drinks and increased sugar drinks and poor hygienepoor hygiene

Extremely painful teeth Extremely painful teeth and gumsand gums

Bad taste and odor from Bad taste and odor from infectioninfection

Lack of sleep due to painful Lack of sleep due to painful teethteeth

Inability to eat or chew Inability to eat or chew solid foodssolid foods

Jawbone lossJawbone loss Gum diseaseGum disease Rapid tooth decay and loss Rapid tooth decay and loss

of teethof teeth

Effects of meth Effects of meth onon… the … the SKINSKIN

Sores are likely due to the combination of tactile hallucinations Sores are likely due to the combination of tactile hallucinations (hallucinations about feelings on the skin); delusions of parasitosis (hallucinations about feelings on the skin); delusions of parasitosis (unrealistic belief that bugs are in or under the skin); repetitive, self-(unrealistic belief that bugs are in or under the skin); repetitive, self-injurious behaviors.injurious behaviors.

BeforeBefore… and After… and After

Meth Meth useuse in our state in our state

Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Statistics, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse Source: SAMHSA, Office of Applied Statistics, National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (persons 12 years and older), annual averages based on 1999, 2000, and 2001(persons 12 years and older), annual averages based on 1999, 2000, and 2001

Lifetime Meth Lifetime Meth UseUse

Past Year Past Year Meth UseMeth Use

Past 30day Past 30day Meth UseMeth Use

1.1. NevadaNevada 1.1. NevadaNevada 1.1. NevadaNevada

2.2. OregonOregon 2.2. OregonOregon 2.2. OregonOregon

3.3. CaliforniaCalifornia 3.3. CaliforniaCalifornia 3.3. CaliforniaCalifornia

4.4. IdahoIdaho 4.4. WashingtoWashingtonn

4.4. ArkansasArkansas

5.5. WashingtonWashington 5.5. OklahomaOklahoma 5.5. WyomingWyoming

Meth Meth useuse in our youth in our youth

Nationwide, 7.6% of Nationwide, 7.6% of high school youth high school youth report having used report having used Meth “at least once”Meth “at least once”

In Nevada and Washoe In Nevada and Washoe County, 12.5% and County, 12.5% and 12.4% of high school 12.4% of high school students respectively students respectively report lifetime use of report lifetime use of meth meth

The rate of Meth use The rate of Meth use in Nevada is 1.6 times in Nevada is 1.6 times the national averagethe national average

Lifetime Meth Use

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

USA Nevada Washoe

Nevada leads the nation in Nevada leads the nation in youth rates of meth useyouth rates of meth use

Age First Age First used used marijuana…marijuana…

<8<8 9-109-10 11-1211-12 13-1413-14 15-1615-16 17+17+ NeveNeverr

Tried methTried meth 62.962.9%%

38.138.1%%

33.033.0%%

18.118.1%%

9.8%9.8% 8.8%8.8% 1.2%1.2%

Age First Age First used used alcohol…alcohol…

<8<8 9-109-10 11-1211-12 13-1413-14 15-1615-16 17+17+ NeveNeverr

Tried methTried meth 31.631.6%%

21.121.1%%

14.114.1%%

11.711.7%%

4.3%4.3% 4.8%4.8% 1.9%1.9%

Meth Meth useuse in our youth in our youth

Source: Washoe County School District 2005 Youth Risk Behavior SurveySource: Washoe County School District 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Treatment Treatment admissionsadmissions for for meth addictionmeth addiction

BADA reports that meth is the second most BADA reports that meth is the second most common drug of choice leading to treatment in common drug of choice leading to treatment in

Nevada (behind only alcohol) – over 29% of total Nevada (behind only alcohol) – over 29% of total admissionsadmissions

Source: Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, 2004 Annual ReportSource: Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, 2004 Annual Report

Need for treatment for meth Need for treatment for meth addictionaddiction

While BADA estimates that there are While BADA estimates that there are 3,319 youth aged 12-17 in Washoe 3,319 youth aged 12-17 in Washoe County needing treatment for AOD County needing treatment for AOD addiction – almost 1,300 for meth addiction – almost 1,300 for meth abuse – EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2006, abuse – EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2006, THERE WILL BE NO INPATIENT THERE WILL BE NO INPATIENT ADOLESCENT TREATMENT FACILITY IN ADOLESCENT TREATMENT FACILITY IN WASHOE COUNTYWASHOE COUNTY

It is estimated that 30,252 Washoe It is estimated that 30,252 Washoe County adults need treatment for AOD County adults need treatment for AOD abuse – almost 12,000 for meth abuseabuse – almost 12,000 for meth abuse

Source: Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, 2004 Annual ReportSource: Bureau of Alcohol & Drug Abuse, 2004 Annual Report

Emotional and Social Emotional and Social Consequences - CrimeConsequences - Crime

76% of law enforcement agencies in SW USA 76% of law enforcement agencies in SW USA report that meth is their largest drug report that meth is their largest drug problem – DEA reports that meth is most problem – DEA reports that meth is most frequently encountered drug in NVfrequently encountered drug in NV

More than half report that meth accounts for More than half report that meth accounts for up to 20% of their total arrests, and 20% of up to 20% of their total arrests, and 20% of jail inmatesjail inmates

Because of meth use, 70% report that Because of meth use, 70% report that robberies/burglaries have increased, 62% robberies/burglaries have increased, 62% report an increase in domestic violence, 53% report an increase in domestic violence, 53% report increase in assaults, and 27% report report increase in assaults, and 27% report increase in identity theftincrease in identity theft

Las Vegas ranks seventh in the nation in the Las Vegas ranks seventh in the nation in the amount of people arrested while on methamount of people arrested while on meth

Emotional and Social Emotional and Social ConsequencesConsequences - Crime - Crime

Meth users tend to arm themselves for Meth users tend to arm themselves for their personal safety. Interviews with their personal safety. Interviews with methamphetamine abusers have methamphetamine abusers have confirmed that these individuals often confirmed that these individuals often maintain weapons in their automobiles, maintain weapons in their automobiles, as well as in their residencesas well as in their residences

Meth users often participate in spur-of-Meth users often participate in spur-of-the-moment crimes, such as purse the-moment crimes, such as purse snatching, strong-arm robberies, snatching, strong-arm robberies, assaults with a weapon, burglaries, and assaults with a weapon, burglaries, and thefts of motor vehicles (Narcanon thefts of motor vehicles (Narcanon International)International)

Family Consequences – Family Consequences – Pregnant UsersPregnant Users

Meth use during pregnancy can affect a baby’s Meth use during pregnancy can affect a baby’s brain, spinal cord, heart, and kidneys and may brain, spinal cord, heart, and kidneys and may lead to…lead to…

Premature delivery/birth deformitiesPremature delivery/birth deformities Increased baby blood pressure leading to stroke, Increased baby blood pressure leading to stroke,

brain hemorrhage before birthbrain hemorrhage before birth Learning disabilities, growth & developmental Learning disabilities, growth & developmental

delaysdelays Intestinal problemsIntestinal problems Developmental & skeletal abnormalities (including Developmental & skeletal abnormalities (including

clubfoot and babies missing parts of limbs)clubfoot and babies missing parts of limbs) Sleep disturbances and altered behavioral Sleep disturbances and altered behavioral

patternspatterns Tremors and coordination problemsTremors and coordination problems In the long term, hyperactivity, ADD, learning In the long term, hyperactivity, ADD, learning

disabilities and unprovoked fits of angerdisabilities and unprovoked fits of anger

Family Consequences – Family Consequences – Child Neglect/AbuseChild Neglect/Abuse

The use of meth affects the caregiver's The use of meth affects the caregiver's judgment, rendering them unable to provide judgment, rendering them unable to provide the consistent, supervision and guidance that the consistent, supervision and guidance that children need for appropriate development children need for appropriate development

Children of meth users are frequently Children of meth users are frequently neglected during their caregiver's long periods neglected during their caregiver's long periods of sleep while "crashing" from a drug binge of sleep while "crashing" from a drug binge

The caregivers also frequently display The caregivers also frequently display inconsistent and paranoid behaviorinconsistent and paranoid behavior

They are often irritable and have a "short They are often irritable and have a "short fuse" which may ultimately lead to physical fuse" which may ultimately lead to physical abuse abuse

Children in these homes are often exposed to Children in these homes are often exposed to violence as well as unsavory individuals violence as well as unsavory individuals

Meth Lab Dangers – ChildrenMeth Lab Dangers – Children About 30 - 35% of Meth labs seized are in About 30 - 35% of Meth labs seized are in

residences where children liveresidences where children live Children are at an increased risk in a Meth lab Children are at an increased risk in a Meth lab

environment because of their Physiologic Status environment because of their Physiologic Status higher rates of growth higher rates of growth MetabolismMetabolism RespirationRespiration DevelopmentDevelopment

……and Behaviorsand Behaviors hand-to-mouth behaviors hand-to-mouth behaviors increased contact with their physical environment increased contact with their physical environment

At least two reports have demonstrated that 35 At least two reports have demonstrated that 35 - 70% of children removed from labs have a - 70% of children removed from labs have a urine drug screen that is positive for meth at urine drug screen that is positive for meth at the time of removal from the home the time of removal from the home

Exposure to blood borne pathogens (blood on Exposure to blood borne pathogens (blood on needles, spoons) possibly containing HIV, needles, spoons) possibly containing HIV, HepatitisHepatitis

Family Consequences – Family Consequences – Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse

Meth increases sexual arousal in Meth increases sexual arousal in adultsadults

Meth addict homes littered with Meth addict homes littered with pornographypornography

Children are unsupervised around Children are unsupervised around multiple strangers (drug buyers and multiple strangers (drug buyers and associates) in the homeassociates) in the home

Children may be sexually abused by Children may be sexually abused by their own parents, prostituted for their own parents, prostituted for drugs, or forced to view sexual acts, drugs, or forced to view sexual acts, pornographypornography

Meth Lab Dangers – Meth Lab Dangers – Chemical HazardsChemical Hazards

Chemical BurnsChemical Burns Skin, eyes, lungs, mouth, Skin, eyes, lungs, mouth,

esophagusesophagus Solvent ToxicitySolvent Toxicity

Headache, lethargy,Headache, lethargy,disorientationdisorientation

Respiratory difficultyRespiratory difficulty Cardiac arrhythmiaCardiac arrhythmia Bone marrow, liver, kidneyBone marrow, liver, kidney

Phosphine gas – fatal byproductPhosphine gas – fatal byproduct MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Meth Lab Dangers – Meth Lab Dangers – Cleanup and CostCleanup and Cost

Every pound of methamphetamine produced Every pound of methamphetamine produced can yield up to five pounds in toxic waste can yield up to five pounds in toxic waste

DEA estimates that the average direct cost DEA estimates that the average direct cost to clean up a lab several years ago was to clean up a lab several years ago was about $17,000, but is now $2,000 to $3,000 about $17,000, but is now $2,000 to $3,000 per lab (due to improved technology)per lab (due to improved technology)

Ancillary costs - property damage, salaries Ancillary costs - property damage, salaries and overtime for law enforcement and and overtime for law enforcement and medical personnel, medical costs for medical personnel, medical costs for suspects or innocent bystanders (including suspects or innocent bystanders (including children) injured or poisoned from the lab, children) injured or poisoned from the lab, and criminal justice costs associated with and criminal justice costs associated with arrest and prosecution – can cost 10x the arrest and prosecution – can cost 10x the cleanup costcleanup cost

Estimated cost per lab – up to $30,000Estimated cost per lab – up to $30,000

Cost of Medical Attention due Cost of Medical Attention due to Lab Burnsto Lab Burns

Vanderbilt Regional Burn Center (April 2005)Vanderbilt Regional Burn Center (April 2005) 90% of meth users did not have insurance, hospitals lose this 90% of meth users did not have insurance, hospitals lose this

money or society paysmoney or society pays Injured meth patients have longer hospital stays, 2.7 days vs. 1.7 Injured meth patients have longer hospital stays, 2.7 days vs. 1.7

daysdays Stays in the burn unit average one day for every Stays in the burn unit average one day for every percentagepercentage of of

the body affected by third degree burns, at an average cost of the body affected by third degree burns, at an average cost of $8,000.00 per day. (60% burn = 60 day stay)$8,000.00 per day. (60% burn = 60 day stay)

Lab-created skin grafts cost $10,000 per square foot.Lab-created skin grafts cost $10,000 per square foot. One patient, on his 2One patient, on his 2ndnd visit, expected stay of several months will visit, expected stay of several months will

have a bill of about have a bill of about $1 million$1 million

““Michael”Michael”Sparks High School GraduateSparks High School GraduateValedictorian/Captain of his TeamsValedictorian/Captain of his TeamsVoted Most Likely to Succeed by classmatesVoted Most Likely to Succeed by classmatesRanked in the top SAT scores in Nevada HistoryRanked in the top SAT scores in Nevada HistoryContacted by Harvard University and invited to attendContacted by Harvard University and invited to attendLives down by the river in Lincoln Park, turns tricks to Lives down by the river in Lincoln Park, turns tricks to

sustain his meth addiction, has syphilis and often sustain his meth addiction, has syphilis and often doesn’t recognize former friends.doesn’t recognize former friends.

Used marijuana, progressed to meth, future forever Used marijuana, progressed to meth, future forever changed.changed.

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