What is Methamphetamine?

A drug with immense abuse potential, methamphetamine (known on the street as "speed," "meth," "crank," "crystal-meth," and "glass") is a central nervous system stimulant of the amphetamine family. Like cocaine, it is a powerful "upper" that produces alertness, and elation, along with a variety of adverse reactions. The effects of methamphetamine, however, are much longer lasting then the effects of cocaine, yet the cost is much the same. For that reason, methamphetamine is sometimes called the "poor man's cocaine."

As with many drugs, methamphetamine, if prescribed by a physician, is legally available in the United States for the treatment of attention deficit disorders and obesity. Unfortunately, much of the methamphetamine available on the street is illicit methamphetamine from clandestine laboratories in the United States.

Meth does a lot of damage to people who use it. (As a matter of fact, death may not be the worst of its potential effects.) And you can find out about that type of thing in symptoms, and detecting a user.

But users aren't the only ones who are affected it effects family, neighbors and those that effected by the crime that arises from meth use.

Meth labs regularly blow up in ordinary neighborhoods, damaging ordinary people who may not even know what meth is.

And then there's meth-related crime. Its victims aren't limited to users of meth either.

The truth is you don't necessarily have to be involved with meth to feel its effects.

The phrase "life or meth" doesn't mean that meth will definitely kill you, although it's certainly capable. It's about the choice between living for yourself or living for the drug. Lots of people make the wrong choice, and have to live with meth. And even if they stop using meth, the drug does permanent damage.

Kids think this stuff is fun, or that it will help them lose weight, or stay up to study. By the time they find out the truth for themselves, they're lost. We have resources here that can help get the word out. If just one more person reads some of these materials, and thinks twice about trying meth, then we've accomplished something worthwhile.

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