MSBA Criminal Law Section Presents

1. MSBA Criminal Law Section Presents Crystal Meth: Unlike Any Other Drug

2. Meth is more addictive than . . . • Bubble Gum • Sunflower Seeds • Cocaine • Any Other Drug

3. Since 1997 Meth Use Has Exploded • Used to be considered a rural problem, but now it’s very common in the Twin Cities. • 15% of people in drug treatment programs are there for Meth use. • In the last 5 years, meth use has quadrupled.

4. Meth is a “Dirty Drug” Made From: • Pseudo ephedrine • Lye, drain cleaner • Iodine • Nitrates, phosphorous • Paint thinner, mercury • Formaldehyde • Acid and ether

5. Who Uses Meth? • People of all ages, races and classes • Straight A students • Athletes • Even kids as young as 13 have been identified as users

6. What Does Meth Do ? • User feels like they have more energy • Releases high levels of dopamine • Initially makes user feel “good” • Meth is a stimulant similar to adrenaline • Long term, life becomes an endless search for the drug

7. Meth Use • You CANNOT use meth responsibly • There is NO safe amount to use • There are NO recreational users – addiction can result after only one use • Users DON’T realize they’ve become addicted until it’s too late

8. How Meth works • With each use of meth, the level of dopamine released in the brain decreases • Addicts are always chasing the “first high” because the body builds up a tolerance and needs more and more meth to get that feeling

9. The Life of a Meth Addict • The focus is to get high • Neglect their families • Can and will most likely lose their jobs • Lose interest in everything except getting more drugs

10. Meth is Expensive $$$ Users will do anything to get meth or get money to pay for meth • Users will steal from family and friends • Users will shoplift • Users will break into houses • Users will have sex for money or have sex with their dealer for drugs

11. How does Meth affect a person? • Increases risk for mental disorders • Affects teens more because their brains are still growing • Increases feelings of paranoia • Can cause paranoid delusions and meth induced psychosis • Some users have psychotic breakdowns

12. Meth Mouth • Meth use affects the saliva production in your mouth • Within 1 year of using meth, an addict’s teeth can rot out • Teeth will just fall out of the user’s mouth for “no reason”

13. Weight Loss • Losing weight can attract the female user • Meth increases metabolism • Meth causes unhealthy weight loss

14. FELONY • Possessing any amount of meth is a felony • Even a residual amount is a felony • Potential prison term for meth possession is 1 year + a day to life in prison • 30% of users who go to jail are there for 3+ years

15. What about age? If you’re a kid do you still go to prison? • If an addict possesses a 1st degree amount of meth and he/she is over 14 years old, then they can be certified as an adult and go to adult prison, if convicted • If a user is convicted for meth possession as a juvenile, it will follow them the rest of his/her life • Juvenile records ARE NOT completely sealed • A conviction can stop users from getting a job, or even going to college

16. What happens during Meth Withdrawal? • Causes extreme depression • Painful • Addicts are tired, irritable and unhappy • Addicts get the shakes, sweat and can’t sleep

17. Additional Resources • www.facesofmeth.us/main.htm (shows the dramatic changes in person as little as 3 months after using) • www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/faqs/ • www.usdoj.gov/methawareness/

18. Some examples . . .

25. Questions ?