MethKills

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Both drugs have some limited therapeutic uses, primarily in the treatment of obesity. f8yvxe95ma

Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as speed, meth and chalk. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as ice, crystal, glass and tina.

One of the most striking health effects of meth addiction is the change in the physical appearance of meth users. An emaciated look and rampant dental disease manifesting as decayed, discolored and broken down teeth and inflamed gums are associated with meth use. In a matter of time healthy teeth turn a grayish-brown, develop extensive decay, and reach a state of such decay that causes them to be unsalvageable and require extraction.

Many media reports have provided details about a distinctive pattern of unchecked tooth decay among meth users. Described variously as blackened, stained, rotting, or crumbling teeth, the association of this pattern of dental disease with meth addiction has earned it the term "meth mouth."

Living in the home of a meth-addicted parent who is operating a meth lab not only poses physical dangers, but also severe emotional trauma for children if the lab is raided. To lessen the trauma, many states have trained law enforcement how to provide initial care for children found in meth labs, and greater attention is being paid to children's needs during decontamination procedures.

Polk County, Iowa, for example, uses a state-of-the-art decontamination trailer to assist victims possibly exposed to meth. The 20-foot-long trailer contains enclosed shower stalls, a portable water heating unit, and other resources to reduce trauma during the clean up process, particularly for children.“It has pictures and toys and is what you would think kids would like in terms of a bath and a warm, friendly place, as opposed to a sterile, adult environment,” explains Mary Nelson, Administrator for the Iowa Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral, Developmental, and Protective Services.

1. Meth addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. Drugs of abuse alter the brain’s structure and function, resulting in changes that persist long after drug use has ceased. This may explain why drug abusers are at risk for relapse even after long periods of abstinence and despite the potentially devastating consequences.

2. No single treatment is appropriate for everyone. Matching treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual’s particular problems and needs is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to productive functioning in the family, workplace, and society.

A child living at a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory is exposed to immediate dangers and to the ongoing effects of chemical contamination. In addition, the child may be subjected to fires and explosions, abuse and neglect, a hazardous lifestyle (including the presence of firearms), social problems, and other risks.

Methamphetamine use during pregnancy may result in prenatal complications, such as premature delivery and birth deformities. High doses of the drug may cause a baby's blood pressure to rise rapidly, leading them to suffer strokes or brain hemorrhages before birth. Often babies born to meth-addicted women cannot tolerate stimuli such as human touch and light. These babies often display tremors and coordination problems. Full-term babies born to mothers who use methamphetamine will likely have difficulty sucking and swallowing, much like premature babies.