Nearly everyday in Kosciusko County, people see, hear or read something about methamphetamine.
However, many of those people do not realize exactly what meth is, how it is used or the long-reaching effects of this highly addictive drug.History of the Drug
Methamphetamine was created during World War II to keep troops, both Allied and Axis, awake and motivated to fight.
Then in the 1950s, it was often prescribed as a diet pill or used to treat depression.
It was outlawed in the 1970s, and officials listed it as a schedule II drug, meaning it has very limited medical use.
Once it became illegal, meth was available primarily on the black market and was expensive. Once the recipe for the drug became available on the Internet, its use increased quickly. Users now "cook" it using common cold medicine, acetone and lithium batteries along with other readily available items. Meth is cooked in homes, cars or abandoned structures.
Now methamphetamine has become an epidemic in many areas, especially in the Midwest. In the past 10 years, methamphetamine arrests in Indiana, and in Kosciusko County, have skyrocketed, and crimes related to meth use have increased significantly.
According to methresources.gov, "Results of a 2007 survey of Indiana students show that approximately 4.7 percent of ninth-graders, 6.1 percent of 10th-graders, 7.1 percent of 11th-graders and 6.3 percent of 12th-graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetime."
What is Meth?
Methamphetamine is a man-made stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The drug, which is highly addictive, causes body functions to accelerate and causes the body to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter.
According to www.shadowofmeth.com, "As meth enters the brain, it latches on to a neurotransmitter called dopamine, producing a storm of neuro-chemical activity that stimulates the pleasure centers. The hyperactivity creates a rush of euphoria, almost ecstacy."
What effect does it have on the user?
With extended use of methamphetamine, damage occurs to neurons in the brain, causing the user's body to stop producing dopamine on its own. When the body no longer has the ability to produce dopamine, the user is not able to feel pleasure without meth anymore.
Many times people who use meth suffer from moodiness or severe depression, have a false sense of confidence and lose interest in friends, food and other once-pleasurable activities. They may lose weight quickly, change their appearance and stop caring about taking themselves.
Meth can be injected, snorted, smoked or taken in pill form. Meth can be a white odorless powder or clear chunky crystals.
According to methpedia.org, "the high from methamphetamine use depends on how it is used lasting anywhere between several minutes to 12 hours."
Street Names For Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine goes by many street names, including meth, crank, speed, ice, crystal. Some other names for the drug are chalk, zip, christy or tina.
More Information Available Locally
A workshop designed to educate the community about ongoing efforts to eliminate the local methamphetamine problem is planned for Thursday. "Meth 2010: Killing A Community" will be conducted in two sessions - one at 10 a.m. for professionals and businesses, and one at 7 p.m. for the general public. Both sessions will be at Center Lake Pavilion. The event will be presented by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Serenity House, United Way of Kosciusko County and Bowen Center.
