Methamphetamines, “The Good”

Unintended Consequences

If there is anything good to say about Methamphetamines, (one of the most dangerous drugs ever created) it would have to be that the use of the drug is slowly but steadily declining. States like California, Montana and others have reported steady declines in Methamphetamine use in their areas since 2005. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a 2008 “Monitoring the Future Study” showed a steady decline in methamphetamine use among “8th, 10th, and 12th graders.”  According to the study, Methamphetamine use among teens had been on the decline as far back as 1999 when it was first added to the study.  (2008 Monitoring the Future Study, Table 5).

Also, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reported 6,783 methamphetamine lab seizures in 2008, mostly in rural areas. That was compared to 7347 seizures in 2006 and a whopping 12,619 seizures in 2005. But, as those teens would probably say, “don’t get it twisted”, Methamphetamine is a very addictive and without a doubt very dangerous drug. So dangerous is this drug, the USA Patriot Act put restrictions on the sale of drugs used in the manufacturing of Methamphetamines. Precursor chemicals (as they are termed) are chemicals used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine and/or amphetamine. The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act was added to the USA Patriot Act in 2005 as safe guard to the whole of these chemicals. This enables federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to monitor the sale of precursor chemicals such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine. (The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005)

The “Bad”

The Bad news is that unfortunately Methamphetamine use, abuse and addiction still exists. Headlines of arrests and Meth lab seizures make it clear that this war is far from over. Furthermore, studies have shown a deadly relationship between methamphetamines and the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).  Do to the unsafe practices and careless behavior of abusers of Methamphetamines, the numbers of cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), Hepatitis C and HIV are growing. The growth and spread of these and other illnesses are due to the sharing of contaminated needles and other drug paraphernalia, as well as increased levels of promiscuity among users.

Researchers believe the physiological changes suffered by Methamphetamine users are more favorable for the transmission of HIV. In other words, Methamphetamine users are not thinking normally and that may cause them to be careless. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Prevention, “MSM (men who have sex with men) who use methamphetamine may increase their sexual risk factors.” Meaning they are more likely to “not” use condoms, have multiple sex partners, and may be more apt to engage in more risky sexual behavior that will put them at even more risk of contracting the HIV infection. But according to CDC MSM are not the only at risk group of Methamphetamine users. The CDC warns that heterosexual adults and teen methamphetamine users put them self at risk as well. In the same way as MSM via promiscuity, and other unsafe risky behavior, heterosexual people put themselves and others in danger of being infected with HIV and other STD’s.

If you already have been diagnosed and have been found to be HIV positive, using methamphetamines may speed up the diseases progression. Scientists have suggested “that HIV positive individuals who are taking AIDS medication and who use meth may be at greater risk for developing full blown AIDS.” (The National Institute on Drug Abuse) This is an ongoing study but it doesn’t take a scientist to know that Methamphetamines are bad news.

The Ugly

Imagine being up for 17 days straight with no sleep. You haven’t washed and have eaten nothing except maybe some junk food if that. Imagine shrinking, literally from approximately 230 pounds to a mere 125 in a matter of days and losing a full boat athletic scholarship. Imagine having everything you ever wanted then having nothing but the clothes on your back. Imagine selling your body because you are too paranoid to leave and get money elsewhere or because you have burned all your bridges with family and friends. Imagine stealing from your mother or your spouse. Imagine stealing your baby’s piggy bank and selling everything you own. Can you imagine all these things? Do they make you cringe? Now imagine looking in the mirror and literally watching your face deteriorate before your eyes. If that’s not ugly enough then how about this, imagine watching your friend shoot himself in the head right in front of you. His blood and brain matter all over the place and all over you. How does this make you feel? These are real case scenarios of methamphetamine abuse and addiction. Nothing here is fake or embellished for an effect, this is all real. This is the ugliness of Meth that they don’t tell you when you first try it. “The first time was wonderful” reported a meth addict in recovery. “After that it was all downhill, I lost everything including my dignity.” Another meth abuser reported hallucinations and being so paranoid “I was scared to leave the house.”

Mary Rieser is the executive Director of Narconon of Georgia, and has seen firsthand the lives that have been affected by this deadly drug. For over 11 years working closely with recovering addicts Ms. Rieser knows the ugliness of methamphetamines and other illicit and licit drug abuse. “I’ve had people tell me, one time and I was hooked,” said Rieser. “I have seen many, the Narconon clients at the clinic treated for street drugs like meth and crack. These drugs will just grip you. You’ll feel a euphoria thinking, ‘oh, that was kind of fun.’ you do it a few more times and you’re hooked,”

This is the good, the bad and the ugly truth about Methamphetamine use, abuse and addiction. Get the facts and stay informed. The more you know the better you are. If you or a family member is in need of help or information call Narconon of Georgia