NEW MEXICONEW MEXICODEPARTMENT OFDEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

• METHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESSMETHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESS

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a Central Nervous Methamphetamine is a Central Nervous System Stimulant.System Stimulant.

Meth has little medical use and has a high Meth has little medical use and has a high potential for abuse.potential for abuse.

METHAMPHETAMINEMETHAMPHETAMINE

METH, ICE, CRANK, CRYSTALMETH, ICE, CRANK, CRYSTALMETH IS A STIMULANT AND CAUSES METH IS A STIMULANT AND CAUSES

YOUR BODY TO OPERATE AT AN YOUR BODY TO OPERATE AT AN EXCITED RATE. ALL OF YOUR EXCITED RATE. ALL OF YOUR THOUGHT AND BODY FUNCTIONS ARE THOUGHT AND BODY FUNCTIONS ARE AFFECTED. THIS DRUG HAS A HIGH AFFECTED. THIS DRUG HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE AND A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE AND A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ADDICTION.POTENTIAL FOR ADDICTION.

How is Meth Used?How is Meth Used?

Users snort, swallow, smoke or inject methUsers snort, swallow, smoke or inject meth Common items used are pipes, glass piping, tin Common items used are pipes, glass piping, tin

foil, ect.foil, ect.

Who’s Using MethWho’s Using Meth

No typical meth userNo typical meth user

Lower to upper class can be meth userLower to upper class can be meth user Almost half are femaleAlmost half are female They are educated with either a High School or They are educated with either a High School or

College degreeCollege degree White, Hispanic, African AmericanWhite, Hispanic, African American Any religious affiliation Any religious affiliation Young, old, teenagers with most users in the Young, old, teenagers with most users in the

20-30 range20-30 range

How is Meth made?How is Meth made?

Smurfs

Hazardous combination ofHazardous combination of

Toxic/Flammable/Explosive ChemicalsToxic/Flammable/Explosive Chemicals

7 YEARS7 YEARS

Lithium StripsLithium Strips When lithium mixes with water its highly corrosiveWhen lithium mixes with water its highly corrosive Exposure resulting in shortness of breath and low Exposure resulting in shortness of breath and low

arterial blood oxygen. arterial blood oxygen. Lithium is a flammable solid Lithium is a flammable solid Lithium is a soft, silvery-white metal that becomes Lithium is a soft, silvery-white metal that becomes

yellowish upon exposure to moist air. It is soluble in yellowish upon exposure to moist air. It is soluble in liquid ammonia, producing a blue solution.liquid ammonia, producing a blue solution.

Ingestion: Ingestion: In large amounts, lithium would primarily In large amounts, lithium would primarily affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the central affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the central nervous system (CNS), and the kidneys. nervous system (CNS), and the kidneys.

Anhydrous Ammonia

Red Phosphorous

6 YEARS6 YEARS

Dopamine ReleaseDopamine Release

Food = 100Food = 100 Sex = 200Sex = 200

Meth = 1,250Meth = 1,250

Cocaine = 350Cocaine = 350

No rehabs in our area for under 18 years of ageNo rehabs in our area for under 18 years of age Young people are now being diagnosed withYoung people are now being diagnosed with

Alzheimer's Alzheimer's Parkinsons Parkinsons Heart attackHeart attack StrokeStroke

For every pound of meth produced, 5 to 7 For every pound of meth produced, 5 to 7 pounds of toxic waste results. pounds of toxic waste results.

Short-term effects of Short-term effects of MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

Increased attention Increased attention Decreased fatigueDecreased fatigue Increased activityIncreased activity Decreased appetite Decreased appetite Extreme happiness and rush Extreme happiness and rush Increased respiration Increased respiration DependenceDependence ParanoiaParanoia

Long-term effects of Long-term effects of MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

HallucinationsHallucinations Mood swings Mood swings Repetitive motor activityRepetitive motor activity StrokeStroke Weight lossWeight loss Increased heart rate and blood pressureIncreased heart rate and blood pressure Flushed or tense appearanceFlushed or tense appearance Dilated pupilsDilated pupils Bloodshot eyesBloodshot eyes

Long-term effects of Long-term effects of Methamphetamine cont.Methamphetamine cont.

A chemical odor on their breath A chemical odor on their breath Excessive sweating Excessive sweating Rapid speech Rapid speech Inability to sleep or eat Inability to sleep or eat Severe weight loss Severe weight loss Rotting teeth Rotting teeth Scars and open soresScars and open sores Memory loss Memory loss DepressionDepression

Long-term effects of Long-term effects of Methamphetamine cont.Methamphetamine cont.

Teeth grinding Teeth grinding Restlessness Restlessness Tremors Tremors ConvulsionConvulsion Cardiovascular collapseCardiovascular collapse Kidney complicationsKidney complications Brain damageBrain damage Liver damageLiver damage Blood clotsBlood clots Crank bugsCrank bugs

Four Year Progression…

31 Years Old 35 Years Old

At times it only take months.At times it only take months.

Three month ProgressionThree month Progression

38 Years Old 3 months later

And yet... Americans continue to use METH.

Current StatusCurrent Status

Meth has become the most dangerous Meth has become the most dangerous drug problem of small-town America. drug problem of small-town America. Traffickers make and distribute the drug in Traffickers make and distribute the drug in some of our country's most rural areas. some of our country's most rural areas. Twelve to fourteen year olds that live in Twelve to fourteen year olds that live in smaller towns are 100% more likely to smaller towns are 100% more likely to use meth than those who live in larger use meth than those who live in larger cities.cities.

Recovery Rate

Even after 7 years of rehabilitation, a meth addict still only has a 6%

chance of never using meth again.