Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jul 2002
Source: Johnson City Press (TN)
Copyright: 2002 Johnson City Press and Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983
Author: Micah McCrary
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

BIGGEST 'BUSINESS'

EDITOR: To most people, Johnson City is filled with locally owned 
businesses and some larger chains, but this is not by far the most 
successful business ventures in the area.

It seems that the underground drug culture in this area has grown vastly 
over the past two years. With illegal drugs varying from marijuana, 
cocaine, LSD, heroin, crack, and now crystal methamphetamine. This is by 
far the most growing drug, with everyone from students in middle school to 
working adults using it.

One dealer, who asked his name to remain anonymous, says that he can bring 
an ounce into the Tri-Cities which he pays close to $1,300 for and break it 
down into quarter grams (that is 112 quarters) and sell them anywhere from 
$40 to $60 apiece depending on the location in the Tri-Cities. He also 
commented that he usually makes a out-of-town trip biweekly to pick up 
anywhere from an ounce to an ounce and a half.

The high from this drug will last from 8 to 24 hours. This most common form 
of meth in this area seems to be known as "ice" or "shards," which looks 
like slivers of ice. This type of meth is usually crushed into powder and 
snorted or smoked thru a glass piece. A few of the short term effects of 
ice is "increased alertness," "sense of well being," and an "intense high."

Some of the more hazardeous effects would include "paranoia," 
"convulsions," "violent behavior," and "uncontrollable movements." On a 
personal note, some of the long-term effects I still experience from it is 
"formication," which is where it feels like there are bugs crawling on the 
body, but nothing is there.

Being a former meth user I know the mental addiction to this drug. I feel 
it's a duty for our D.A.R.E. programs to really push this drug. Parents 
should also speak with their children regarding this drug before someone 
else has them try it.

MICAH McCRARY, Johnson City
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