Methamphetamineaka Crystal Meth, Meth, Speed,

Crank, Crystal, Tweak, Gak, Zip,

Sketch, Tik, Go-fast, Chalk, Ice, etc.

WHAT IS IT?Methamphetamine is a powerful

central nervous system stimulant

that was prescribed throughout the

1900s for narcolepsy, ADD, asthma

and weight loss.

It is now illegally produced and sold

as pills, powder and crystals. It is

made in home laboratories from

ingredients like over-the-counter cold

and ashma medications, red

phosphorous, hydrochloric acid,

drain cleaner, battery acid, lye,

lantern fuel, and antifreeze.

Meth is highly addictive, even more

so than crack cocaine!

One hit costs between $10 and $25.

HOW IS IT USED?

Meth can be smoked, injected,

snorted, eaten or inserted into the

vagina or rectum.

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1. Crystal makes you feel sociable, sexy

and smart.

2. Crystal helps you lose weight

and be more productive.

3. Crystal helps you focus on your

studies or projects.

1. Crystal increases high-risk sexual

behaviour leading to increased rates

of HIV and other STI transmission.

2. Frequent use can lead to irritability,

violence, hallucinations and

paranoia.

3. Using can cause you to “tweak”,

having semi-purposeful movements

or focussing on unimportant

details.

Why Use?! ! What’s Reality!

Meth use can lead to obsessive picking at the

skin, or “Meth Bugs” leading to scabs, infections

and abscesses.

As of 2005 in Canada the maximum penalty for

the production and distribution of meth has

increased from 10 years to life in prison!

“Meth Mouth” - An informal term given to the

effects of long term meth use including dry

mouth, teeth grinding, clenching, poor oral

hygiene, and high calorie diets.

CRYSTAL METHWHAT IS IT AND WHAT CAN IT DO TO YOU?

What is the high?• • •

Users take meth to get the “high”.

This is characterized by euphoria,

increased alertness, loss of

inhibitions, increased energy and

decreased appetite.

But what else is it doing to me?

CENTRAL NERVOUS SIDE EFFECTS:Paranoia, writhing or flailing

movements, irritability, nervousness,

insomnia, anxiety, aggression,

dizziness, fever, numbness,

convulsions.

CARDIAC SIDE EFFECTS:Chest pain, high blood pressure,

accelerated heart beat, irreversible

damage to blood vessels in the brain,

heart attack and cardiovascular

collapse.

PSYCHIATRIC SIDE EFFECTS:Long term users can resemble

schizophrenics with anger, panic,

paranoia, hallucinations, repetitive

behaviour and belief that there are

parasites or bugs under the skin.

OTHER SIDE EFFECTS:Tooth grinding, sores, acne, sweating,

respiratory disorders.

LONG TERM EFFECTS:Kidney, lung, liver and brain damage,

blood clots, chronic depression,

hallucinations, violent and aggressive

behaviour, malnutrition, depressed

immune system, psychosis.

OVERDOSE:As little as 50 milligrams can cause

overdose in a non-tolerant user.

Overdose leads to high fever,

convulsions, cardiovascular collapse

and death.

WHAT IF I’M PREGNANT?

Babies can be born addicted and

suffer from birth defects, low

birth weight, tremors, excessive

crying, ADD and behaviour

disorders.

What if I’m addicted?

Withdrawal will last about 7-14

days and can lead to sadness,

irritability and risk of suicide.

Don’t give up hope, there is help

available! Please see the boxes

below for places you can turn to to

help you get off meth and stay

clean.

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Fast Facts

1. Over the past 4 years

meth related deaths in BC have increased tenfold.

2. The Specialized Youth Detox Centre in Victoria s a w a n i n c r e a s e i n admissions for meth from 17 to 117 over four years.

3. ! The average age of kids in detox in Victoria in 2002 was 16.

4. Dealers often cut Ecstasy

with meth or give out free samples to get you hooked.

5. ! Meth has been linked to

sudden death, heart attack and psychosis.

A METH STORY:

“All I wanted to do was hang out and get

high – and I could never get high enough. Sometimes I would be up for days, smoking

constantly. When I’d finally come down, I was totally depleted. I would barely get out

of bed for weeks. I even tried to stay sober

at one point. I got a job at a local gas

station to support myself, but after a month

I started using again. I couldn’t hold my job

because I was too sick and too high to function.”

“I know many women who’ve had their

children taken away, even mothers who

chose to give their kids up to the system. I

know women who have literally lost their

minds because of meth and I was

becoming one of them. I had no patience

especially for own son. It was with this

realization that I knew I had to change my

life. “ - Mindy

CONTACTSSpecialized Youth Detox: 383-3514

Victoria Youth Clinic: 388-7841

Alcohol and Drug Services: 387-5077

Y Youth Counseling: 386-7511

Native Friendship Centre: 384-3211

Narcotics Anonymous: 383-3553

AIDS Vancouver Island: 384-2366

Pacific Centre Family Serv: 478-8357

WEBSITESwww.yves.ca/syd.html

www.victoriay.com/

youth_outreach.php

www.crystalmethbc.ca

www.kci.org/index.html

www.victoriayouthclinic.ca

RESOURCES

http://www.crystalmethbc.ca/

www.vyes.ca/syd.html

www.uptodate.com

www.victoriay.com/youth_outreach.php

www.drugfree.org