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WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE? Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug usually used as a white, bitter-tasting powder or a pill. Crystal methamphetamine is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. It is chemically similar to amphetamine (a drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder).
Commonly swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected, short-term effects include increased wakefulness and physical activity; decreased appetite; increased breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature; and irregular heartbeat. Long term effects can include anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood problems, violent behavior, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, weight loss, severe dental problems, and intense itching leading to skin sores from scratching.
ORIGINS
Mexican drug trafficking organizations have become the primary manufacturers and distributors of methamphetamine to cities throughout the United States, including in Hawaii. Domestic clandestine laboratory operators also produce and distribute meth but usually on a smaller scale. The methods used depend on the availability of precursor chemicals.
Currently, this domestic clandestinely produced meth is mainly made with diverted products that contain pseudoephedrine. Mexican methamphetamine is made with different precursor chemicals. The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 requires retailers of non-prescription products containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine to place these products behind the counter or in a locked cabinet.
Consumers must show identification and sign a logbook for each purchase.
COMMON STREET NAMES
Batu, Bikers Coffee, Black Beauties, Chalk, ChickenFeed, Crank, Crystal, Glass, Go-Fast, Hiropon, Ice,Meth, Methlies Quick, Poor Man’s Cocaine, Shabu,Shards, Speed, Stove Top, Tina, Trash, Tweak, Uppers,Ventana, Vidrio, Yaba, and Yellow Bam
HOW IS IT ABUSED?
Meth is swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked. To intensify the effects, users may take higher doses of the drug, take it more frequently, or change their method of intake.
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OUR MISSION: Prescribe Change Allegany County’s mission is to create awareness and educate the citizens of Allegany County, Maryland about the growing crisis of opioid prescription drugs, fentanyl, and heroin misuse and abuse in our community.
Call us at (301) 759-5050
12501-12503 Willowbrook Road
PO Box 1745
Cumberland, Maryland 21501-1745
SPONSORED BY THE ALLEGANY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES