Transcript Meth and club drugs - Cherokee County Schools

Methamphetamines
What is it ?
• Methamphetamine (or “Meth”)
is a stimulant with a high
potential for abuse
• It is a white, odorless, bittertasting crystalline powder
taken orally, by snorting, by
needle injection, or by
smoking.
• It is very powerful and highly
addictive
• Users experience a rush that
lasts only a few minutes
Question 1:
• Meth is __________ powerful and
_________ addictive.
-Not, not
-Very, not
-Not, very
-Very, very
How does it work?
Meth increases the brain chemical dopamine,
which is involved in motivation, pleasure, and
motor function. This is why we often see a
lack of motivation or decreased motor function
when using this drug.
Meth needle marks
Skin infection caused by “cranking”
(injecting Meth intravenously)
How does it work?
Recent studies in chronic
meth abusers have shown
severe changes in areas of
the brain associated with
emotion and memory,
which may account for
many of the emotional and
brain functioning problems
observed in chronic meth
abusers.
Question 2:
• True or False?
Chronic meth abuse causes severe
damage in areas of the brain associated
with emotion and memory.
Meth facts
• Meth can be more addictive than crack.
• Meth is available as a crystalline powder or in rock-like chunks. Meth
varies in color, and may be white, yellow, brown or pink.
• Meth users often neglect families, home, work, personal hygiene
and safety.
• Prolonged use leads to consuming the drug continuously for up to 5
days without sleep (some sleepless binges last up to 15 days) and
ends with intolerable crashes.
• User driven into severe depression, followed by worsening paranoia
and aggression – a period known as “tweaking”.
• Users eventually collapse from exhaustion and sleep for long
periods of time often forcing neglected children to try to fend for
themselves.
What are you putting into your
body when you use meth?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Battery acid
Ammonia
Iodine
Red phosphorus
Drain cleaner
Anti-freeze
Lantern fuel
And many other potent chemicals!
The fumes, vapors, and spillage associated with cooking
meth are toxic, combustible and hazardous to children,
adults and the environment.
Some other names for meth:
• ice
• ice crystals
• speed
• rock
• glass
• meth
• crystal
• crank
• tweak
• go –fast
Question 3:
• Which of the following is NOT an
ingredient in meth?
-Anti-freeze
-Battery acid
-Plant material
-Drain cleaner
SHORT TERM EFFECTS:
Immediately after smoking or injection, the user experiences an intense
sensation, called a "rush" or "flash," that lasts only a few minutes. Next,
there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals can
lead to violent behavior. Other possible immediate effects include
increased wakefulness and insomnia, suppressed nutrition intake,
irritability and aggression, anxiety, nervousness and convulsions.
Dopamine is the feel-good chemical produced by the brain.
• Upon first use, meth kicks dopamine production into high gear — this
is what produces the initial rush.
• BUT, Meth then changes brain chemistry, and after extended use, the
brain can no longer respond to dopamine.
• The result is that users can no longer feel good, and increase
consumption of the drug in an attempt to recapture the first high.
• This cycle often leads to addiction.
METH MOUTH
Long-Term Effects of Meth
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fatigue
Paranoia/ Confusion
Memory loss
Delusional thinking
Hallucinations- the sensation of insects creeping under the skin
Repetitive behavior (such as compulsively cleaning and grooming or
disassembling and assembling objects)
Aggressive behavior
Mood disorders
Anorexia (extreme weight loss)
Cracked teeth from extreme jaw-clenching during a meth high
Rotted teeth known as “meth mouth”
Cardiovascular collapse
Meth causes a loss of sexual inhibition which increases the chance of
spreading STD’s such as HIV (AIDS)
Brain becomes porous and soft (sponge-like)
DEATH by stroke, coma, overheating and convulsions
Skin sores & infection caused by
meth…
Question 4:
• Which of the following is NOT an effect of
abusing meth?
-Rotted teeth
-Brain becomes porous & sponge-like
-Death by stroke or coma
-Clear, rational thinking
The signs of Meth Use:
• Inability to sleep
• Increased sensitivity to noise
• Nervous physical activity, like scratching/ picking at
the skin
• Irritability, dizziness
• Loss of appetite leading to nutritional deficiencies
• Tremors or even convulsions
• Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and risk of
stroke
• Presence of items used to inhale meth, such as
razor blades, mirrors, and straws
• Presence of items used to inject meth, such as
syringes, heated spoons, or surgical tubing
Meth Mouth
Before And after
• This is the same person after three years
and five months of abusing meth.
Question 5:
• Which of the following is NOT a sign of
abusing meth?
-Picking at the skin
-Improvement in school grades
-Tremors or convulsions
-Inability to sleep
Before & After Meth
This is Angela Fatino
at 12 yrs old.
This is her
yearbook picture, 2
weeks before she
died while using
meth at 15 yrs old.
QUIZ SUMMARY
1. Meth is __________ powerful and
_________ addictive.
2. True or False?Chronic meth abuse
causes severe damage in areas of the brain
associated with emotion and memory.
3. Which of the following is NOT an
ingredient in meth?
4. Which of the following is NOT an effect of
abusing meth?
5. Which of the following is NOT a sign of
abusing meth?
A STORY ABOUT METH ABUSE…