Pubdate: Fri, 16 Feb 2001
Source: Andalusia Star-News (AL)
Copyright: 2001 The Andalusia Star-News
Contact:  207 Dunson Street, Andalusia, Alabama 36420
Website: http://www.andalusiastarnews.com/

METH IS 'PURE POISON'

By now, it should be clear: methamphetamine is "pure poison," as one
Covington County law enforcement officer recently stated.

Many users of meth may get into the drug unaware the drug is indeed,
pure poison.

Specific recipes vary but include some, if not all, of the following
ingredients: alcohol, ether, Benzene, paint thinner, freon, acetone,
chloroform, camp stove fuel, starting fluid, anhydrous ammonia, white
gasoline, black iodine, lye, Drano, sulfuric acid, Epsom salts, wooden
matches, cold tablets and bronchodialators.

Despite the dangerous nature of the drug, people introduce the refined
crystalline substance into their bodies by eating, smoking, snorting or
injecting the drug. The initial result is a euphoric high, but ask
anyone who has been addicted to the drug and they will tell you the
long-term effects are devastating.

Symptoms of prolonged abuse of the highly addictive drug include loss of
hair, loss of body mass, body sores, deteriorating teeth -- and those
are just some of the physical effects of meth abuse.

On the psychological side, meth abusers often experience psychotic
episodes that can turn violent, hallucinations brought on by loss of
sleep, feelings of extreme paranoia and other delusions.

Meth knows no bounds in its victims. People of all races, ages and
income levels, men and women, civic-minded people, and derelicts, have
all been included in the legions of meth victims.

The results on individuals are bad enough alone, but behind every meth
abuser are friends, family members and loved ones who have been affected
by the meth abuser's disease.

Abusers say the only way to get off meth is to seek professional help
and to stay away from other people who use the drug.

The withdrawal pains are described as terrible, but they are nothing
compared to the pain of being caught in the grips of meth.

Make no mistake, stay away from meth. It's pure poison.
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