About methamphetamine ...
What is methamphetamine?
How is methamphetamine made?
What are the side effects of meth?
How can I tell if someone is using meth?
How is meth made?
Where is meth made?
Indicators of a meth lab
What is methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine, a drug with immense abuse potential, is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. It is also known as speed, meth, crank, crystal meth or glass. The drug works directly on the brain and spinal cord by interfering with normal neurotransmission. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances naturally produced within nerve cells used to communicate with each other and send messages to influence and regulate our thinking and all other systems throughout the body. Meth can be snorted, smoked, injected or ingested orally. The federal government categorizes it as a Schedule II stimulant because of its high potential for abuse.
How is methamphetamine made?
The process required to make methamphetamine from precursor substances is fairly simple. Recipes and information about making meth are on the Internet. Ingredients can be obtained many local stores.
What are the side effects of using meth?
Short-term side effects include a false sense of well-being, convulsions, twitching and jerking, aggressive behavior, increased heart rate, increased muscle tension, grinding of teeth, stimulation of the adrenal gland, constriction of blood vessels, rise in blood pressure, impaired speech, dry and itchy skin, loss of appetite, hallucinations, acne and sores, paranoia, and insomnia.
Long-term side effects include malnutrition, rotting teeth, liver damage, brain damage, severe weight loss, fatal kidney and lung disorders, insomnia, permanent psychological problems, lowered resistance to illness, stroke, coma and death.
How can I tell if someone is using meth?
People using meth may exhibit some of the following symptoms:
- Unusual hyperactivity
- Change in sleep patterns (i.e. staying awake for several days at a time)
- Moodiness, irritability, nervous, anxious or paranoid behaviors
- Unexplained weight loss
- Body sores and body odor
- Poor hygiene
- Excessive talkativeness
- Repetitive behaviors such as picking at their skin or hair
- Rotting or missing teeth
- Change in friends
How is methamphetamine made?
The process required to make methamphetamine is simple and precursor substances are more accessible than ever. Ingredients may be obtained in many local stores ad include some of the following items:
- Over-the-counter cold and asthma medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
- Acetone
- Ether/starting fluid
- Freon
- Toluene
- Camp stove fuel
- Gas line antifreeze
- Iodine
- Hydrochloric acid
- Muriatic acid
- Lye
- Drain cleaners
- Sulfuric acid
- Anhydrous ammonia
- Lithium metal
- Red or yellow phosphorous
Recipes for manufacturing meth utilize chemical reactions to obtain the finished product. Many law-abiding citizens may have these items. However, law enforcement officials become concerned when they find unusual combinations of these items, large quantities, and/or find them in unusual locations.
Where are meth labs found?
The drug can be made in a makeshift “lab” that can fit into a suitcase. Clandestine labs are found in residences; barns, garages and other outbuildings; back rooms of businesses; apartments; hotel and motel rooms; storage facilities; vacant buildings; wildlife areas; and vehicles. These labs are not like the chemistry labs found in your local high school. Often ordinary cookware and other household items such as corning, pyrex, and mason jars are used.
Indicators of a meth lab:
- Lithium batteries that have been stripped or taken apart
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Containers or bottles with rubber or plastic tubing (simple gas generators)
- Propane tanks which have blue colored bass fittings (Do not touch or move these because these are VERY dangerous)
- Coffee filters with white, blue, orange, or other colored powder on them
- A large amount of cold tablet containers that list ephedrine or pseudoephedrine as ingredients
- Jars containing double layered liquids (i.e. clear liquid with white colored solid on bottom)
- Glass cookware or frying pans containing powdery residue
- An unusually large number of cans of camping fuel, paint thinner, acetone, ether, starting fluid, lye, or drain cleaners containing sulfuric acid (these cans may still contain the ingredients or they may be empty of in the trash)
- Soft silver or grey metallic ribbon (in chunk form) stored in oil or kerosene
- Strong smell of urine or chemical smells like ether, ammonia, or acetone
- Jars containing Iodine or dark shiny metallic purple crystals
- Jars containing Red Phosphorous or a fine dark red or purple powder
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