Smoking Meth from a Pipe

Commonly used Drug Paraphernalia

Smoking Meth from aluminum foil

Immediately after smoking or intravenous injection, the methamphetamine user experiences and intense sensation, called a “rush” or “flash”, that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely pleasurable. Oral or snorting use produces euphoria – a high, but not a rush. User may become addicted very quickly, and use it with increasing frequency and in increasing doses.

Health Hazards
Associated with Crystal Meth Use

Chronic methamphetamine abuse can result in inflammation of the heart lining, and among users who inject the drug, damaged blood vessels and skin abscesses.

Methamphetamine abusers can have episodes of violent and paranoid behavior, resembling paranoid schizophrenia. They also suffer anxiety, confusion and insomnia. Methamphetamine abusers may go days without eating or sleeping and show signs of psychotic type behavior. Heavy users also show progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.

Cycles of Methamphetamine Use
The Rush:	5- 30 minutes depending route of administration. The drug causes the users heartbeat to race, their metabolism, blood pressure and pulse soars. The user will have feelings of extreme pleasure.
The High:	4 to 24 Hours. The user often feels aggressively smarter and becomes argumentative
Bingeing:	3 to 15 days. The user will use the drug repeatedly for days without eating or sleeping. These binge cycle cause a condition know on the street as “Tweaking”.
Tweaking:	This is the most dangerous stage. The user consumes the drug continually for up to 3 days without sleep. The user may be driven into severe depression, followed by worsening paranoia, belligerence, aggression, anxiety, fatigue and an intense craving for the drug. Finally the user may collapse from exhaustion.
The Crash:	1 to 3 days. The user becomes lifeless and sleeps.
Withdrawal:	No immediate symptoms are evident but the user first may become depressed, then lethargic. The craving for meth hits and the user may become suicidal. Taking meth anytime during withdrawal can stop the unpleasant feelings.

Short Term Effects Experienced By Meth Users:
	Euphoria		Anxiety
	Confusion		Increased Alertness
	Insomnia		Dry Itchy Skin
	Pupil Dilation		Paranoia Acne
	Tooth Grinding		Decreased Appetite Sores
	Increased Physical Activity		Jerky Movements
	Irritability		Hyperthermia
	Extreme Nervousness		Convulsions
	Incessant Talking		Aggression

Chronic abuse of methamphetamine causes extreme weight loss over a short period of time, a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia and is characterized by paranoia, picking at the skin (creating sores), preoccupation with one’s own thoughts, and auditory and visual hallucinations. Meth user will often experience paranoia to the degree that they feel that law enforcement is hiding in the trees or bushes, leaving bugs in their houses or that people are always following them. Meth user are usually have weapons as a result of this extreme paranoia.

Hazardous Effects of
Methamphetamine Production

Methamphetamine is produced illegally in labs across the country. The procession of precursors is also illegal across the country. These meth labs are commonly activated in rural areas due to the smells that are produced. Meth production is very dangerous due to the mixture of chemicals. Meth labs produce dangerous vapors that are very harmful is digested, inhaled or absorbed through skin.

Labs often explode when chemicals are mixed or a fire source is introduced.	"Mobile Meth Labs” have been found in vehicles.
	Labs are located in various areas: apartments, trailors, houses, cars, barns, sheds or various outdoor areas.
Labs are often concealed in areas such as toilet tanks.

Labs are made up of a variety of toxic chemicals and materials. The chemicals are usually flammable in themselves, however when mixed and heated there are increased risk.

Chemicals Used In Meth Production Are But Are Not Limited To:
	Acetone		Methanlol
	Iodine		Red Devil Lye
	Acid		Coleman Fuel
	Rock Salt		Heet
	Ephedrine Products

Lab equipment is often made or altered to fit the purpose of its use. Lab equipment can vary based on chemicals being used or the cook.

Basic lab equipment consists of:
	Reaction Flask		Reflux Tubes
	Separatory Funnels		Graduated Cylinders
	Pour Jars		Pyrex/Visonware
	Mason or Ball Jars		Gallon Glass Jars

Items that are used and often appear in disgarded piles include:
	- Lantern Fuel Cans - Red chemically stained coffee filters - Heet containers - Drain cleaner containers - Antifreeze - Unusual amounts of glass containers