Let's talk about Meth...

[anthrogirl]

I live in the Methamphetamine capital of the universe, and have become increasingly disturbed by all of the destruction it causes. People usually smoke it, snort it or shoot it.

So what is meth all about?

-It is a powerfully addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the Central Nervous System (CNS)

-It was developed early in the 20th century from it's parent drug, amphetamine, and was used originally in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers. Also, it was used extensively by various troops during WWII (particularly the Nazis--Hitler was all over it, Americans, and Japanese--some people attribute the behavior of the Kamakaze pilots to meth)

-Causes increased activity, decreased appetite, and general sense of well-being

-effects can last 6-8 hrs

-After the initial "rush", there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can lead to violent behavior

-Releases very high levels of dopamine into areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure


So meth sounds alot like Cocaine, but the accumulation of dopamine in the synaptic cleft is caused by a different mechanism.

Meth is very easy to synthesize. One need not be a chemist to cook it in the comfort of one's own home. Most cookers used an array of household products such as lighter fluid, liquid drain opener, Sudafed (Psudoephedrin), battery acid...

Why is meth so attractive? Well, it causes the accumulation of dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is produced by the body--it makes us feel good. Normal activities produce dopamine. For example: Sex produces about 225 units of dopamine. Smoking cigarettes produces about 275 units. Cocaine and Heroin produce about 425-450 units. And methamphetamine produces 1,425 units of dopamine!!! No wonder people love it so much!

I live in a pretty fancy neighborhood (probably the most expensive and snooty part of town) and I was talking to the concierge at my condo complex last night. He told me that the cops just busted a meth lab in one of the units 2 buildings away from mine. THe people were evicted this morning. I was a little suprised, because we typically associate meth with the rural poor--and so it makes me think that the trends might be changing.

For a list of street names, see here: http://www.kci.org/meth_info/slang_names.htm

For more info, check the CDC site or here: http://www.kci.org/meth_info/links.htm



ag

Please see the attached picture to view the physical effects of meth in one woman over a four-year period of addiction:

[anthrogirl]

My uncle is currently dying from the long term effects of meth and alcohol abuse. We almost lost him the other day, but he is home now. He suffers from emphasema, cirrhosis of the liver, cardiac failure, and major damage to his CNS. My 3 cousins (all chronic tweakers) are also in trouble--one of them is in prison for first-degree murder. The others have children whom they are unable to care for. Part of the problem in Oregon is that we don't have any state-funded rehab programs--so addicts usually end up in and out of prison.

Question: Why should we pay for Addictions Treatment...aren't we just rewarding bad behavior?

Answer: For every dollar ($1) the U.S. Government spends on Addictions Treatment it saves $7 to $25 dollars in other costs.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (2002). Facts in a Flash ATTC Network

ag

[spiritmech]

Thanks for the posts, anthrogirl. Meth is really prevalent in Tennessee where I live. The effects are horrendous, and these people make it in the same places they raise their children in. It's so sad.

I agree we need more treatment. :( :(
SM

[Rubia Warren]

My old neighbor was 22 years old when I moved in next door. We became very close, as she was a single mother of 1, with another on the way. A few days before she found out she was pregnant, her mother, father, and boyfriend (the kids' father) were arrested for dealing it to uncover cops. They were all addicted to it, as was she. With her first son, she never stopped using during her whole pregnancy, but with the second, she quit smoking it at about 4-5 months along because she was scared she was going to go to jail also. She went through her pregnancy alone, without any family, and each of them got 15 years in prison, so my family and I kinda took her under our wing. It was really sad.
One thing I have always wondered is the effects this drug has on the unborn...... if it is so bad for a teen or adult, how much more is it for a developing fetus?
My neighbor's children looked healthy........ but there was something just not right about her son's behavior- I've never seen a kid who acted like him, but I have no idea if that is a result of using while she was pregnant, or the fact that she had some problems parenting, and was due to nurture...... I'd prolly guess it's a combo of both, with a concentration on the former.
In my area it's a huge problem as well. We have a lot of factories here, and that is what people use every day because they think it helps them work better. People are always getting busted for meth labs-especially out in the country- but from my own experience, it most definitely is a drug which knows no class lines- the better-off people in my area are hooked on it and getting busted making it and selling it as the poor...... and in Indiana, the sentences are HARSH. :yes: We have a huge problem around here.
It is funny you started this thread: a friend of my husband's was at our house the other day, and he was telling me that everybody at work is crazy about meth.... and I asked him which costs more: meth, or powder cocaine? He replied, "Prolly about the same, if not, coke may be a little cheaper". So I asked why people wouldn't rather just do coke in that case (because he had mentioned to me the nasty chemicals that are in the drug, which is why he himself had not used it)...... but now that I see your OP and the difference in dopamine, it's no wonder.

[Alberta girl]

My uncle is currently dying from the long term effects of meth and alcohol abuse. We almost lost him the other day, but he is home now. He suffers from emphasema, cirrhosis of the liver, cardiac failure, and major damage to his CNS. My 3 cousins (all chronic tweakers) are also in trouble--one of them is in prison for first-degree murder. The others have children whom they are unable to care for. Part of the problem in Oregon is that we don't have any state-funded rehab programs--so addicts usually end up in and out of prison.

Question: Why should we pay for Addictions Treatment...aren't we just rewarding bad behavior?

Answer: For every dollar ($1) the U.S. Government spends on Addictions Treatment it saves $7 to $25 dollars in other costs.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (2002). Facts in a Flash ATTC Network

ag
I see a lot of people go through treatment. In my province of Alberta, treatment centers are government sponsered facilities. You can pay for an addicts treatment ten times over and if they don't want to get sober you have wasted every dime. I see so many come at the suggestion (strong suggestion) of the boss, the spouse, the judge, and the social worker, and the result is the same. Sometimes it is only through the hard knocks of life that an addict will ever be willing to come clean. The worst thing we do as a society is allow them to have custody of their children. I know it is a very harsh and judgemental thing to say but I believe it's true. I don't think jail does much good either, the way they are set up now.

[Teallaura]

A policeman spoke at a conference I attended recently. He brought the pictures in the thumbnails above - and a lot more. Meth labs may be possible for the amateur - but they can also be dangerous. He told of explosions, including those that killed children (because mom/dad is/are addicts and let the kids get too close at the wrong moment) - and the picture of a small boy killed in an explosion. Done incorrectly, the same process can literally produce nerve gas - and people have been killed (and Hazmat called in to clean up).

Drug addiction, unlike a habitual problem, is often chemical addiction - and very hard to treat. The addict often got hooked in the first place using drugs as a 'coping' mechanism - so when you let them out of treatment, the ones that really want to stay clean still have an uphill battle of trying to put their lives back together and learn new coping skills (in some cases any coping skills) in the process. It's not easy - isn't cheap - but even though there are those who will only 'play' the system, we as a society have a moral obligation to help. That doesn't mean we have to be stupid about it - or that the existing system doesn't need improvement (it does) - but these are our countrymen and fellow human beings. We should not, indeed must not, reward bad behavior - but detox is hardly a reward by any standard. It's medical treatment - the fact that the individual did it to him or herself doesn't lessen the need for that treatment. We need to take a hard look at the systems in place - figure out what has worked and what hasn't and fix it. It just won't be cheap or easy.

[learning]

Back in the 70's, my Dad had a cousin who lived in the rich part of Vancouver, British Columbia, but moved to get his kids away from kids in the rich neighborhood that did drugs.

This is sad, and the first I've heard of it. I once took Sudafed just as an allergy pill, and the caffeine in it drove me stir crazy. (at least I thought it caffeine, I quit taking it) I'll pray for your uncle and cousins ag.

ag, I don't know if this will help, but I had heard that Larry Norman lives in Oregon, and he is known for helping those on the street (not that your cousins are like that, but the meth problem would likely be known) Anyways, he's probably in a different town, but he may know of Christian organizations out to help people get off meth. Here's his web site. (he's a Christian Rock singer, suffering from heart problems himself, but willing to help the down and out)
www.larrynorman.com

[anthrogirl]

Actually, learning--my cousins are on the street (when they are not in custody). Last week, I attended a lecture with Eric Martin--he is considered the nation's expert on club drugs (he was the guest speaker in a 4-hr class that I'm taking). He is the director of the Governor's Meth Task Force among other things. He was a wealth of info, but even he said that in Oregon, there's not much that can be done for the sufferers. The only in-patient recovery programs for meth are private, and extremely costly. Of course, my addicted family members are destitute--they can only afford to buy their drugs, which they acquire by shoplifting and stealing from friends/family. I think this is a common scenario for the addict.

Thanks for the Larry Norman link, btw...

ag

[learning]

Actually, learning--my cousins are on the street (when they are not in custody). Last week, I attended a lecture with Eric Martin--he is considered the nation's expert on club drugs (he was the guest speaker in a 4-hr class that I'm taking). He is the director of the Governor's Meth Task Force among other things. He was a wealth of info, but even he said that in Oregon, there's not much that can be done for the sufferers. The only in-patient recovery programs for meth are private, and extremely costly. Of course, my addicted family members are destitute--they can only afford to buy their drugs, which they acquire by shoplifting and stealing from friends/family. I think this is a common scenario for the addict.

Thanks for the Larry Norman link, btw...

ag


You're welcome. I don't know what all he is doing now, as from what I've read on there, he's pretty sick now and people have sent him money to help pay for his heart operations. But I do remember a few years ago, like back in '95 or so, he was up in Canada and touring and not too bad then. We signed up for a newsletter of his, and they were working then with street kids I think (or his church or a Christian organization he was with) and also working to stop child pornography in Oregon. I believe they helped to rescue some street kids, (or helped a Christian organization that did this) if I recall correctly. I'm sure if you e-mail there, the ones helping to run his web site may know of something to help with your cousins. I just know he seems pretty sick now (from what I've read) and too weak to answer e-mails, though he says he reads them all. There is a place for prayer requests there too.

[anthrogirl]

I'm a big fan of faith-based organizations asserting their humanitarian efforts. But I am also wary of groups that market the promise of salvation or enlightenment, or whatever to garner members to a particular religious group. That being said, I recognize the role that spirituality plays in the wellness experience--in fact, I believe it is a critical component of health. But I think we need to be careful not to say that an individual's subscription to a particular religious movement is their only way to making good wellness decisions (I'm not assuming that Mr. Norman's group is like this--I simply don't know enough about his organization to make such a statement).

I don't know if the belief in Christ is the only way to health and wellness for the addict. I do know that an interface with the supreme benevolence of the universe(s) is as important to our well-being as gasoline is to a car. My prayer is that those living in the dark reality of meth addiction will take the chance to bathe in the goodness of the world--and that it may foster a generative relationship with the cosmos.

Meth is a dark and oppressive drug--I have personal experience with it. When I tried meth (10 yrs ago or so), it was very hard to recover from it--not because of the addictive properties (I never did it enough times to become addicted, and I didn't really like it anyway), but because after the high wore off, I was a wreck. The beauty of ordinary life was completely sublimated, and I was miserable. My vision darkened, and the world was a deeply forbodeing place. I lost alot of innocence through that experience. GOod news is, after time, I regained my joie de vivre. Not everybody is as fortunate as I was...

ag

[learning]

ag, if I know Mr. Norman, he would say, or I think he would, that any group he knows of that is helping on the street, they would help for the sake of helping, in serving Christ, not to just 'get members into their sect.' At least, from the ones I've met in Canada, those who are really out helping the homeless, feeding them etc., know that most of the ones whom they help are only 'using that help' but won't 'get religion' or 'accept their faith.' For instance, I had a friend, when she was expecting, I called up a pregnancy center, and they sent a lady who went once a week to help, and they also had a baby shower for her, but my friend admited that she found the 'church' helpful and appreciated it, and believed some things about God, but wasn't willing to change her or her boyfriends ways because of that help. It sort of almost upset me that she was 'using' the 'system' just for her own needs, and yet, the lady giving help saw this too, but kept on going. The lady was upset (for their sake) that they weren't willing to 'change their ways' but still was willing to give help anyways. (laziness, alcoholic, a few more other things) (BTW, the boyfriend who was 'lazy', never held down a job, drank a lot, well, he got on Ritalin and is now able to hold down a job. Perhaps the guy was just too 'distracted' before and depressed about that, that might be why he drank? Things are'nt perfect, but they are better!)

I don't think Larry Norman 'runs' any agency, just thought he might know of some that help people on the street, or with addiction, since that has been an interest of his. He's been willing to go out and sing to people in the street, not wait for them to come to the church. His ministry is music, but he has always mentioned 'Compassion' the organization that sponsors kids, like World Vision. He has a little song that goes

"You've got to feed the poor, you know you should
When Jesus asks you if you fed the poor
What'a ya goin' to say?"