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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION. Methamphetamine: A Recipe for Disaster. S/A SHANNON ARGETSINGER . Presentation Overview. What is METH and History Impact on User Impact on Environment Impact on Children/Families. Methamphetamine.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

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  1. DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION Methamphetamine: A Recipe for Disaster S/A SHANNON ARGETSINGER

  2. Presentation Overview • What is METH and History • Impact on User • Impact on Environment • Impact on Children/Families

  3. Methamphetamine • CN Stimulant that is taken orally or by snorting or through injection or by smoking • Use leads to aggressive and paranoid behavior • Correlation between meth use and domestic abuse • Highly addictive

  4. History of Methamphetamine Production in the USA • 1919 methamphetamine first produced in Japan • 1930’s amphetamines used as nasal decongestant • 1937 prescription tablet for narcolepsy and ADHD • 1940’s used by soldiers during WWII • 1950’s used by college students, truck drivers, athletes • 1970 All amphetamines become illegal by law

  5. Methamphetamine Facts • Meth use increases risk of child abuse and neglect and domestic violence • Meth lab site cleanups can cost up to $150,000 • Methamphetamine produces hallucinations • Methamphetamine - induced paranoia has led to numerous murders and suicides • Methamphetamine kills by causing heart failure, brain damage and stroke • Every pound of meth produced leaves behind five to six pounds of toxic waste • The average meth "cook" annually teaches ten others how to make meth

  6. Methamphetamine Man-made Smoking produces a high that lasts 8-24 hours 50% of the drug is removed from the body in 12 hours Limited medical use Cocaine Plant-derived Smoking produces a high that lasts 20-30 minutes 50% of the drug is removed from the body in 1 hour Used as a local anesthetic in some surgical procedures Methamphetamine vs. Cocaine

  7. Meth in South Carolina • 2000 – 6 labs • 2001 – 10 labs • 2002 – 100 labs • 2003 – 130 labs • 2004 – 254 labs • 2005- 235 labs (October 1 – present) Source: DEA South Carolina

  8. Euphoria Hyperactivity Relaxed inhibitions Misrepresentation of time and distance Inability to concentrate Restlessness/agitation Tendency to compulsively clean and groom Talkativeness Bruxism (teeth grinding) Dilated pupils- slow to react Repetitively disassemble and sort objects Rigid muscle tone Unable to divide attention Signs of Meth Usage

  9. Signs of Addiction • Sudden or rapid weight loss • Sudden or rapid mood swings • Changes in sleep patterns; insomnia, hypersomnia (oversleeping); fatigue • Loss of appetite; changes in eating patterns • Red, watery eyes; dilated or constricted pupils; blank stare • Depression; loss of motivation; laziness; decreased self-esteem • Loss of physical coordination • Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands • Constant cold-like symptoms; persistent runny nose, persistent cough • Tremors or shakes • Persistent and excessive sweating • Unexplained nausea or regular vomiting • Puffiness in the face, around the eyes; pale or reddened skin

  10. Faces of AddictionAverage Life Expectancy – 5 years

  11. Stages of Addiction • Rush • High • Binge • Tweaking – most dangerous • Crash • Normal • Withdrawal **It is not uncommon for some users to increase from 5 mg. to 1,000 mg. doses over a one-year period

  12. METH Re-wires the Brain: Can leave addict Depressed, Forgetful, Short Temper • METH releases neurotransmitters into the brain--DOPAMINE and SEROTIN. • These chemicals are vital to brain functions that control MOOD MEMORY, SLEEP, MOVEMENT, DECISION MAKING and APPETITE. • Brain neurons that release DOPAMINE and SEROTIN become damaged. *University of Utah Study 2003

  13. AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE: METH - INDUCED BRAIN DAMAGE • Heavy METH users lose about 50% of their ability to produce DOPAMINE Researcher: “It doesn’t seem to come back”. • They are: Constantly Irritable; Forget Complex Memories; Almost Never Feel Joy. • Because of the extreme Dopamine depletion they experience shaking and similar symptoms to PARKINSON’s DISEASE. University of Utah Study 2003

  14. Withdrawal Symptoms • craving • exhaustion • depression • mental confusion • restlessness and insomnia • deep or disturbed sleep lasting up to 48 hours • extreme hunger • psychotic reaction • anxiety reactions

  15. Long Term Effects • hallucinations • disorganized lifestyle • violent and aggressive behavior • permanent psychological problems • behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia • poor coping abilities • disturbance of personality development • lowered resistance to illnesses • diseases resulting from vitamin deficiencies • brain damage • malnutrition • skin disorders

  16. Meth Treatment Facts • 3-7% success rate for meth treatment • Treatment costs 1/10 of what incarceration does • Treatment for meth addiction focuses on cognitive behavioral interventions • “Wall” period lasts 6-18 months during which the brain recovers from changes

  17. Evolution of DEC Programs- The Kathey James Case • The Kathey James case led to case law demonstrating that meth manufacture is inherently dangerous • December 26, 1995- Three children died in a fire caused by a meth lab. Their mother, Kathey James, her boyfriend, and two other adults escaped. Instead of attempting to rescue the children, they hid evidence.

  18. Methamphetamine &Pregnancy

  19. Unplanned pregnancy Lack/delayed prenatal care Nutritional neglect Increased risk of pre-term births Polydrug use Poverty Increased incidence of complications Out of home placement Characteristics of Meth Pregnancy Sources: Maternal and Child Health Study, unpublished study by Dr. Rizwan Shah, Medical Director, Regional Child Protection Center, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, IA. & National Institute on Drug Abuse IDEAL Study. Drs. Barry M. Lester, Rizwan Shah, Ameila Arria, Chris Derauf, Linda LaGasse, Penny Grant, Lynne Smith, William Haning, Marlyn Huestis, Arthur Strauss, Sheri DellaGrotta, Jing Liu, investigators.

  20. Fits of rage High-pitched cry Inconsolability Irritability Sensitive to stimuli Shaking and tremors Limpness Sleepiness Apparent depression Bonding problems Prenatal Meth Exposure Behavioral Problems of Infants Source: Pregnancy and Infant Outcome Study, unpublished study by Dr. Rizwan Shah, Medical Director, Regional Child Protection Center, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, IA.

  21. Strokes Cerebral palsy Paralysis Cerebral injuries Coordination problems Birth defects Effects on CNS, heart, kidneys Intestinal abnormalities Withdrawal: abnormal sleep patterns, tremors, poor feeding, increased heart rate, sneezing, high-pitched cry Prenatal Meth Exposure Other Problems Sources: Pregnancy and Infant Outcome Study, unpublished study by Dr. RizwanShah, Medical Director, Regional Child Protection Center, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, IA. & Dr. Michael Sherman, Chief of Neonatology at University of California-Davis & Dr. Annette Grefe, Yellowstone Pediatric Neurology.

  22. Hyperactivity and ADHD Poor impulse control Poor anger management related to unprovoked anger Dependent upon the amount, length of meth use during pregnancy Prenatal Meth Exposure Behavioral Problems of Young Children Source: Pregnancy and Infant Outcome Study, unpublished study by Dr. Rizwan Shah, Medical Director, Regional Child Protection Center, Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines, IA.

  23. Agitation Inconsolability Tachycardia Respiratory problems Mucous membrane irritation Nausea Protracted vomiting Hyperthermia Ataxia Roving eye movements Seizures Headaches Signs of Meth Ingestion in Children

  24. What about the Children? • Children breathe faster than adults • Children have a faster heart beat than adults • Children are smaller and closer to the ground • Their nervous systems are still developing • The food they eat is on the same counter as the meth lab • They might have a heavier exposure to the chemicals due to the above Source: Penny Grant, MD, Assoc Professor of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center & Child Abuse Network Medical Director, June 29, 2004

  25. Clothes and hair smell like chemicals Chemical burns Malnourished Obese Poor hygiene & dental health Respiratory ailments Lots of knowledge regarding meth and the cooking process Secretive and defensive about their home Sleep deprived Delayed speech/language skills Hyperactivity and attention disorders Absences from school Violent behavior Lack of boundaries Warning Signs that Children are Living in a Meth Lab

  26. Characteristics of Meth Households • High levels of domestic violence • Sex and pornography • Lots of junk food • Weapons and booby traps • Raw materials of meth manufacture accessible to kids

  27. Approaching the Home Could the Home Contain a Meth Lab? • Unusual or broken security systems & devices • Baby monitors outside • Sealed windows • Boarded or covered windows • Discoloration of structures, pavement, soil

  28. Increase in thefts and burglaries Domestic Violence Auto accidents Emergency medical treatment HIV/ AIDS Fires Murders Suicides Hazardous waste Increase in workplace violence Lost productivity Babies with birth defects and other problems Danger to law enforcement and fire fighters Neglect/abuse of children Social Implications of Meth Usage

  29. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration S/A Shannon Argetsinger Demand Reduction Coordinator 803-765-5251 deascdrc@bellsouth.net

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