|
Facts:
Ø
Methamphetamines are synthetic amphetamines or stimulants
that are produced and sold illegally in pill form, capsules, powder and
chunks. Two
methamphetamines are crank and ice.
Ø
Crank and ice are extremely addictive and produce a severe
craving for the drug.
Ø
Methamphetamines stimulate the central nervous system and
the effects last from 8 to 24 hours.
Ø
Methamphetamines cause a severe “crash” after the
effects wear off. The crash or low feeling is more intense and is longer
lasting than both speed and cocaine.
Ø
The effects are not only long lasting, but continue to
damage the user long after the use has stopped.
Ø
Addiction to methamphetamine can be very strong, therefore
withdrawal symptoms are likely when use of the drug is discontinued.
Withdrawal symptoms include severe cramping, insomnia,
restlessness, mental confusion & depression.
Short Term Effects:
| increased alertness
|
sense of well being |
paranoia
|
intense high |
| hallucinations
|
aggressive behavior
|
convulsions
|
increased heart rate |
| violent behavior |
insomnia |
numbness
|
dry, itchy skin |
| acne, sores
|
impaired speech
|
loss of appetite |
uncontrollable movements (i.e. twitching, jerking,
etc.) |
| extreme rise in body temperature (as high as 108
degrees which can cause brain damage and death) |
|
|
|
Effects on the Mind:
| disturbed sleep
|
excessive excitation |
panic
|
anxiousness
|
| moodiness and irritability |
nervousness |
severe depression |
false sense of confidence and power |
| aggressive and violent behavior |
delusions of grandeur leading to aggressive
behavior |
|
|
Long Term Effects:
| depression
|
hallucinations |
disorganized lifestyle |
insomnia
|
| decreased social life |
permanent psychological problems disturbance of personality
development |
violent and aggressive behavior |
behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia |
| poor
coping abilities |
fatal kidney and lung disorders |
lowered resistance to illness |
possible brain damage |
| malnutrition |
weight loss
|
liver damage |
stroke |
| death |
|
|
|
Effects on Society:
| car crashes
|
crimes |
hazardous waste |
|
| fires due to explosions from the illegal manufacture
of methamphetamines |
|
|
|
Pregnancy and
Methamphetamine:
If methamphetamines are used during pregnancy,
babies tend to be:
| asocial |
incapable of bonding
|
have tremors |
have birth defects |
| cry
for 24 hours without stopping |
|
|
|
|
