Meth marks the Tier
What you should know about this dangerous drug
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Gannett News Service Meth can be different colors, including light brown, white and pink. |
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By Ellen Vachon, Ph.D.
Meth is a very large problem in this country as well as the world. It shows no boundaries and spares no one. Since d-Meth was invented, the meth epidemic has taken off. It has affected every area of life in towns and cities where it has passed, injuring and killing thousands in its path.
We saw firsthand to what extent meth could affect a community in the spring of 2004. Two Bradford County deputies were attempting to serve two suspected cookers several warrants at a lab. The suspected cookers opened fire on them; Deputies Michael VanKuren and Chris Burger were murdered.
EVOLVING DRUG
There are three types of methamphetamine: d-methamphetamine, dl-methamphetamine and l-methamphetamine. Meth has gone through three stages of development. Each time the precursors were changed due to legislation controlling them.
During the '80s, the method of cooking meth was changed. This made production easier and cheaper; and led to the introduction of smokeable meth. Today, d-Meth is the most popular type in the U.S. and is the most potent, has far less side effects and does not need to be mainlined.
D-Meth can be orally ingested, applied to mucous membranes, snorted, mainlined (injected) or smoked. As with all drugs, the quickest route to the blood brain barrier will produce the quickest and highest "high," making the smoker of d-Meth the most unpredictable and dangerous of all meth users.
The route of administration will determine the effects the user feels as well as how long the effects will last.
POWERFUL AND ADDICTIVE
Meth is described as a powerful drug that has stimulant properties, and is very addictive. It comes in a range of colors, from white/yellow to a red/brown. When being cooked, it has a very noticeable odor often described as cat urine, nail polish or ether. Meth in powder/crystal form has no odor. It has a very bitter taste, not palpable by many. Some abusers report wrapping it in toilet paper, mixing it with candy or even adding it to soda due to the taste.
Meth is a highly toxic, dangerous synthetic (lab-made) street drug, made from items that you can purchase with little expense or effort. The main ingredient in d-Meth is Pseudoephedrine/ephedrine: a common cold medicine ingredient. It is the necessary ingredient for d-Meth. Other ingredients may include: iodine crystals/flakes, red phosphorus, camping fuel, acid-hydriodic, acid-sulfuric, anhydrous ammonia, rock/table salt, various solvents, lithium and a variety of alcohol -- methanol, ethanol, isopropyl, acetone.
Some of the names used for meth are: crystal, ice, glass, speed, crank, pink glass and red rock.
Often with street drugs, they obtain their names due to physical properties -- such as where the drug came from, how it smells and the "high" from using. With this in mind, it is easy to see where some of the names originated. When meth is in a solid form, it resembles a crystal. (Crystal/ice) Due to some of the chemicals used and the process of cooking, meth can take on different colors. (Red rock).
RISE OF THE SUPER LAB
A batch of meth is cooked, either in small clandestine labs or in super labs. Some super labs can yield well over 20 pounds in a single batch. It is believed that most super labs in this country are operated mainly by the Mexican and Asian cartels.
Police and drug enforcement teams believe super labs are trafficking more meth than the small clandestine labs. Small clandestine labs only represent a small percentage of meth being cooked -- approximately 20 percent.
It is believed that for every pound of meth cooked, 5-6 pounds of toxic waste is left behind for society to deal with. Meth and its residues seep into walls, flooring, the ground and water. Owners of buildings where labs have been spend thousands of dollars in cleanup costs.
With laws being tougher in Pennsylvania and New York lagging behind, our state saw an increase in clandestine labs particularly in the Southern Tier region (Chemung, Tioga and Broome counties). Since 1999, more than 25 percent of all New York meth seizures/incidents have been in the Southern Tier. Until August of 2005, New York did not have a law for intent to manufacture, or for precursors used in cooking. On Nov. 1, 2005, state meth laws became effective.
There are three types of d-Meth: Red-P, Nazi and Hypophosphorous. Red-P (red phosphorus) is manufactured using the red phosphorus/hydriodic acid/base production method. This method of cooking is extremely flammable and explosive. (Nineteen percent of labs across the country were discovered due to fires and explosions in 2006.) Nazi is manufactured using anhydrous ammonia with reactive metal method. Hypophosphorous is a variation of the red phosphorus/hydriodic acid method.
Of the 30 labs discovered in 2006, 17 were Red-P and 13 were Nazi. Broome County had 11 labs, Tioga had two and Chemung, one in 2007, according to the Upstate New York Regional Intelligence Center. All of the meth labs in New York were d-Meth, meaning they all used pseudoephedrine as a precursor chemical.
LINK TO STDS
Meth became popular in the 1980s with the alternative sexual communities. It is believed to enhance sexual experience. Along with this great sexual arousal come the dangers of not practicing safe sex. The alternative sexual communities, particularly the gay population, have seen an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C across the nation. Senate Health Committee Chair Kemp Hannon reported in February 2005 a new strand of AIDs linked to the use of meth in gay men.
In 2006, the Southern Tier region saw a large increase in syphilis cases. (The increase is believed to have been meth related.) In 2006, Broome County saw a large increase in HIV+ cases -- it is not known if they are related to meth use.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL TOLLS
Meth use is described in three patterns. They are low intensity, binge and high intensity.
When a user is not psychologically or physically add icted to meth, the use is low-intensity abuse. These users use meth on a very casual basis, and are looking for the extra stimulation it provides. The low-intensity user appears in every facet of society.
Binge users use meth more than low-intensity users and are psychologically and physically addicted. High-intensity users use the most often and are psychologically and physically addicted. Both the binge user and the high-intensity user prefer to mainline or smoke.
The abuser will not experience the high/rush that mainlining or smoking achieves.
Physical effects can be seen in both the abuser and the addict. More often, they are seen with the addict.
"Meth mouth" is a condition when the teeth decay so badly that all that is left is peg-like fragments of teeth.
Dentists do not know what causes "meth mouth," but believe it is a combination of factors, such as the toxic chemicals used in the manufacturing, that meth dries a person's mouth causing less saliva to fight bacteria, that meth addicts drink large quantities of sweetened drinks, or that meth addicts have a tendency to grind and clench their teeth. All these factors or a combination is thought to be the cause. Jails/prisons across the country are being bankrupted by the epidemic of "meth mouth" inside of their population.
Another symptom of meth use is abscesses. Meth addicts believe there are bugs crawling under their skin. This symptom, called formication, creates a feeling to itch constantly. Users call them "meth bugs" or "speed bumps." Often, ulcers develop, leading to infections and possibly total decay of that particular body part.
Due to meth triggering the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline), meth can cause the body to become fatally thin.
Burn centers across the country are spending thousands treating meth addicts and cookers. Due to the explosive nature of the chemicals, many cookers find themselves in a burst of fire and suffer severe facial/eye burns. Burn units are reporting higher incidence of inhalation burns and injuries. Hospitals have to realize that many meth addicts do not have insurance, leaving their bill unpaid.
Police have reported, in meth areas, crime rates are much higher. Meth addicts often carry weapons and weapons are often found at a seizure. The New York State Police reported in 2005 that of 140 labs, 80 of them had weapons.
CHILDREN PAY A PRICE
Another consideration is the innocent children living with meth users/cookers. Many of these children suffer from upper respiratory problems; other suffers from the effects of the poisons they have inhaled or ingested. Others suffer severe burns or die in fires/explosions.
Due to the addiction cycle of meth, when addicts crash, they are able to sleep for days, leaving children lacking in basic care issues: food, clean clothing, safe environments and guidance. Mainline users could easily have syringes lying around.
Asst. U.S. Attorney Laura Birkmeyer stated that sexual abuse to a child by meth addicted parents, guardians and meth-addicted acquaintances is extremely high. Birth defects are seen with the babies of meth addicts. Babies are born premature, causing low birth weight. Numerous reports are noted in emergency room studies of babies dying from Shaken Baby Syndrome and neglect while the parents were high on meth. Attention Deficit Disorder is seen, as well as other behavioral disorders in young children.
HOPE FOR ADDICTS
Is there treatment for a person who has a problem with meth?
Yes. Researchers are busy looking at a variety of new treatment approaches. Medications are being researched to help the addict in recovery. Anti-depressants are being used currently to help with withdrawals and anxiety.
Drug courts play a huge part in providing treatment to the abuser. They are capable of providing intense supervision, particularly during the first 90 days when relapse rates are so high. They can act as a long-term tracking system, requiring drug testing and unannounced visits to the user's home.
Some of the signs a user might display are: anxiousness, nervousness, excessive talking, extreme moodiness, irritability, dilated pupils, redness in the iris, sweating, body odor, "meth mouth," open sores and scars, decreased appetite, increase in physical activities, intense paranoia and visual/auditory hallucinations.
FIGHTING BACK
With the new law that was signed in August 2005, New York is in an excellent position to fight back against meth. Communities are getting information out on the dangers of it. Many retail stores are joining the retail watch program. First responders are being equipped with information regarding potential labs and their dangers. Local health departments are being educated to the health hazards involved in meth and cooking. Communities at large need to become involved in the effort to say: no to meth and to all drugs.