One of the most popular street drugs, the "tweak" that makes the brain weak, has long term health side effects.
Crystal Methamphetamine, an inexpensive illegal drug, is said to be much stronger than cocaine, according to the National Treatment Referral Program.
Until a few months ago, drug stores were crowded with some potential customers who bought or stole Sudafed and other products with similar ingredients to create crystal meth in their homemade laboratories. So the Federal Drug Administration decided to take it off the shelves and put it behind the counter.
"Drug stores took the drug off the racks this summer- anything with Sudafed in it," said a Walgreen's certified pharmacist. "I heard that it's harder to kick heroin and meth than any other drugs out there."
Crystal meth, also known as speed, crystal, tweak, ice or glass, is described as white to off white powder or a chunk that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. Once dried, it turns into clear chunky crystals, according to the Prometa Medical Treatment facility. It resembles cocaine in appearance.
"Some people call it 'the white man's crack,'" said James Sherrill, an alcohol and drug outreach counselor for the Cocaine and Alcohol Anonymous Program. "It's made from different kinds of chemicals and mixed with Sudafed."
According to the National Treatment Referral Program, crystal meth hit the streets in the 1970s as a highly addictive and psychologically dependent drug that can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally. This drug can easily be attractive because of the decreased appetite, the lack of sleep and energy boost that it produces. However, it can become destructive, leading to mental illness, suicide or violent death. Furthermore, when using needles, it can lead to a high risk of life threatening diseases such as hepatitis or AIDS.
According to the Prometa Medical Treatment facility, in the U.S. there are over 100,000 treatment admissions a year related to meth use. Users may become addicted quickly, using it frequently and in increasing doses with a high that lasts from 2-20 hours and going for 3-4 days.
Crystal meth has been known to destroy the central nervous systems, cardiovascular system, teeth and bone structure with symptoms like those of Parkinson's disease, a severe movement disorder, according to the Prometa facility.
"Statistics say that most people who use crystal meth range from the age of 20 to 45," said Sherrill, in his 18th year as a recovering alcoholic and cocaine addict. "A user becomes addicted when the mind and body is allergic to it, developing a need for the drug."
Meth users usually develop sores on their bodies from scratching at "crank bugs," imaginary insects they believe are crawling under their skin. After the use of meth is stopped, several withdrawal symptoms can occur, like depression, anxiety, fatigue, paranoia and intense craving for the drug, according to the National Treatment Referral Program. The user develops psychotic symptoms that can last for months or years after stopping use of meth.
Sherrill said that the CAAP's facility practices psychotherapy to help the addict cope with the personality changes the user has undergone with the addiction, which he calls a disease.
"Most people think that it isn't, but it's a worldwide cycle that is a social and medical disease," he said. "The disease is something that can be passed on from generation to generation or might even skip a generation and go to the next."
"It is easy to get addicted, and it's harder to quit this habit than any other drug," he said.
With that in mind, many rehab facilities are ready to help meth users, and the treatment is similar to the treatment for alcohol addiction. The user gets detox from meth followed by behavioral or socially treatment in a treatment facility.
For help, call the National Treatment Referral at 1-800-886-4986.
The signs of a user are a frequent runny nose; nasal bleeding; bad and discolored skin; dilated pupils; rapid or repetitive speech; open or bleeding sores; chronic sleeplessness; change in friends; needle marks on arms, hands, legs, or neck; not eating; hair loss; anger; and psychotic behavior, according to the National Treatment Referral Program.
According to Judge Chris Craft, Division 8 of Criminal Court, crystal meth has been known to be sold through the mail and is a very toxic drug.
"Meth is going to be the problem drug of the future," said Craft.
