Meth Abuse Facts

Meth abuse facts note that the makeshift equipment of an average clandestine lab would fit in a small cardboard box or cooler. Meth labs have been set up in kitchens, bath tubs, sheds, back yards, ice houses and vehicles. It is vital that retail sales personnel learn to recognize individuals purchasing large quantities or shoplifting products which can be used to cook meth. Meth abuse facts show that these products include:

• Cold remedies containing pseudophedrine
• Lithium batteries
• Rock salt
• Lye
• Iodine
• Paint thinner
• Drain cleaner
• Heat gasoline additives
• Aluminum foil
• Matchbooks (red phosphorus)

According to experts and documented meth abuse facts, successful prevention programs:

• start early
• are comprehensive
• use multiple venues
• repeatedly stress key points
• rely on verifiable facts to illustrate points

Here are some additional meth abuse facts:

• Over 15,000 deaths are annually associated with stimulants in the US.
• According to the 2005 NSDUH, 10.4 million Americans age 12 and older had tried methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes.
• In 2004, the number of methamphetamine treatment admissions to Emergency Departments increased to greater than 150,000, representing 8 percent of all drug-related admissions.
• In 1992, only 5 states reported high rates of treatment admissions (i.e., >24 per 100,000 population) for primary methamphetamine/amphetamine problems; by 2002, this number increased to 21, more than a third of the states.
• Meth abuse facts report that this drug is a highly addictive stimulant that strongly activates certain systems in the brain and speeds up the body's central nervous system. It was originally marketed as a nasal decongestant and is currently used medically in the U.S. for treating obesity.
• What does it look Like? Meth is either a white or yellowish crystalline powder or sometimes it appears as a large hard rock. It is odorless and has a bitter taste.
• How is it taken? Meth abuse facts show that this drug can be taken orally, snorted through the nose, intravenous injection, or smoked.
• Who uses it? The most common user of methamphetamine used to be an adult male with a lower than average income. However, this has changed and now users can be from all economic status, all ages and all genders.
• What are the effects of this drug? Meth abuse facts show that the effects from meth differ depending on how it is used. If it is smoked or injected intravenously, the user will feel a strong sensation, resembling a vibration or 'rush', which diminishes within a few minutes. Users who snort or swallow meth experience a feeling of temporary euphoria. Meth users will become talkative, confident and other times paranoid, aggressive and agitated.
• Meth is highly addictive drug and users are quick to develop a tolerance to the amount they are taking. The longer users take meth, the more they need, even to the point of depriving themselves of basic needs such as food and sleep, in order to keep administering the drug to feed their addiction.
• Withdrawal symptoms from meth include stomach cramps, intense hunger, headaches, shortness of breath, exhaustion and severe depression.

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