NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

1. NEW MEXICODEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION • METHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESS

3. Methamphetamine Methamphetamine is a Central Nervous System Stimulant. Meth has little medical use and has a high potential for abuse.

4. METHAMPHETAMINE • METH, ICE, CRANK, CRYSTAL • METH IS A STIMULANT AND CAUSES YOUR BODY TO OPERATE AT AN EXCITED RATE. ALL OF YOUR THOUGHT AND BODY FUNCTIONS ARE AFFECTED. THIS DRUG HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE AND A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR ADDICTION.

5. How is Meth Used? • Users snort, swallow, smoke or inject meth • Common items used are pipes, glass piping, tin foil, ect.

6. Who’s Using MethNo typical meth user • Lower to upper class can be meth user • Almost half are female • They are educated with either a High School or College degree • White, Hispanic, African American • Any religious affiliation • Young, old, teenagers with most users in the 20-30 range

7. 1.5 YEARS

8. How is Meth made?

9. Smurfs

10. Hazardous combination of Toxic/Flammable/Explosive Chemicals

11. 7 YEARS

12. Lithium Strips • When lithium mixes with water its highly corrosive • Exposure resulting in shortness of breath and low arterial blood oxygen. • Lithium is a flammable solid • Lithium is a soft, silvery-white metal that becomes yellowish upon exposure to moist air. It is soluble in liquid ammonia, producing a blue solution. • Ingestion: In large amounts, lithium would primarily affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the central nervous system (CNS), and the kidneys.

13. Anhydrous Ammonia

14. Red Phosphorous

16. 6 YEARS

25. Dopamine Release • Food = 100 • Sex = 200 • Cocaine = 350 • Meth = 1,250

26. No rehabs in our area for under 18 years of age • Young people are now being diagnosed with • Alzheimer's • Parkinsons • Heart attack • Stroke • For every pound of meth produced, 5 to 7 pounds of toxic waste results.

27. Short-term effects of Methamphetamine • Increased attention • Decreased fatigue • Increased activity • Decreased appetite • Extreme happiness and rush • Increased respiration • Dependence • Paranoia

28. Long-term effects of Methamphetamine • Hallucinations • Mood swings • Repetitive motor activity • Stroke • Weight loss • Increased heart rate and blood pressure • Flushed or tense appearance • Dilated pupils • Bloodshot eyes

29. Long-term effects of Methamphetamine cont. • A chemical odor on their breath • Excessive sweating • Rapid speech • Inability to sleep or eat • Severe weight loss • Rotting teeth • Scars and open sores • Memory loss • Depression

30. Long-term effects of Methamphetamine cont. • Teeth grinding • Restlessness • Tremors • Convulsion • Cardiovascular collapse • Kidney complications • Brain damage • Liver damage • Blood clots • Crank bugs

34. Four Year Progression…

35. 31 Years Old 35 Years Old

36. At times it only take months. Three month Progression

37. 38 Years Old 3 months later And yet... Americans continue to use METH.

38. Current Status Meth has become the most dangerous drug problem of small-town America. Traffickers make and distribute the drug in some of our country's most rural areas. Twelve to fourteen year olds that live in smaller towns are 100% more likely to use meth than those who live in larger cities.

40. Recovery Rate Even after 7 years of rehabilitation, a meth addict still only has a 6% chance of never using meth again.