Pubdate: Sun, 19 Sep 2004 Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK) Copyright: C2004 Muskogee Daily Phoenix Contact: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/customerservice/contactus.html Website: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319 Author: MaryLee Harrison DRUG HAS BECOME AN UNRECOGNIZED NATIONAL TRAGEDY Methamphetamine, known by street names such as "meth," "speed," "chalk," "crystal," "crank," "fire" and "glass," is a highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, snorted, smoked or ingested orally. The user feels a short yet intense "rush" when the drug is first taken. The effects are increased activity, decreased appetite and a sense of well-being that can last from 20 minutes to 12 hours. In the words of one user, "You feel like you can do anything and everything - -- like you're on top of the world." Since methamphemine is a highly addictive drug, the user has to have more and more of it to achieve that "top of the world" feeling. All too soon more and more is needed to just achieve baseline. As one recovering person explained, "I didn't have the energy I was born with and had to have more to just try to feel normal. "I started 'cooking' and selling. At that point, cooking, selling and using became my way of life," she said. "I had no other life. I looked like a skeleton, had sunken eyes, decayed teeth, and hair and nails that did not grow." With this level of tolerance and addiction, there is an intense craving that cannot be satisfied. Chronic use can cause violent behavior, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, paranoia and weight loss. It can also cause cardiac damage and brain damage similar to the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease - -- memory loss, decreased ability to learn and impaired judgment. Due to the ease of manufacturing methamphetamine, it has become the most prevalent synthetic drug manufactured in the United States. According to the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Oklahoma ranks fourth in methamphetamine production in the nation. Ten years ago, in 1994, there were only 10 meth labs in the entire state. However, in 2003, there were 1,235 labs statewide. This represents a 1,200 percent increase. Many of the labs seized have children inside the homes. One in three of these children test positive for the drug since, during the process of "cooking" methamphetamine, the chemicals become airborne and can contaminate the entire house. The chemicals, which are unstable, can cause explosions and death. The pain and suffering caused by methamphetamine is devastating and beyond measure. Also devastating and measurable is the financial toll. To hire a company to come in and clean up a lab costs $3,500. Last year, Oklahoma spent $4.9 million just in physical "cleanup." When then mayor of New York City Rudy Gulliani was asked about the extent of the loss of life from 9/11, he replied, "It will, no doubt, be more than we can bare." Drug addiction is an on-going national tragedy that continues to destroy lives. Addiction grows in dark places of secrets, silence and denial. Recovery is possible. Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous for addicts and Alanon/Narcanon for family and friends of addicts are available. Professional help is also available. MaryLee Harrison is a licensed professional counselor, certified alcohol and drug counselor, and out-patient therapist at Green Country Behavioral Health Services Inc. Sidebar Info The National Clearinghouse for Drug and Alcohol Information has a catalog containing literature, posters, videos and other items for the public. You can reach them at (800) 729-6686 or on their Web site at www.health.org/ Drug counseling? The best place to start would be the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The telephone number is (405) 522-3866 or check out their Web site at www.state.ok.us/~dmhsas/. Locally, you can call Green Country Behavioral Health Services' 24-hour crisis line at 682-8407. Source: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart