Published: May 01, 2008 09:04 pm         

AROUND THE TOWN: Message of meth's dangers is reaching students

Each semester, I ask my Roane State psychology class to prepare a paper and classroom presentation on a topic they are interested in as a portion of their grade. I am always shocked at the professionalism and level of information some of the students are able to deliver. Since some of the topics we discuss in psychology may not be of interest to the general public, I have never published any of the papers before now. However, one of my students this semester, Meredith Threet, who works for the city of Crossville Parks and Recreation, did a fabulous job of reporting about methamphetamine.

I asked Meredith if I could publish her paper and she gave me permission to do so. As you read it, please know that she also did a PowerPoint presentation for the class!

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From adults and children, to the rich and poor, all have seen or experienced the negative effects of methamphetamine. While it is known to many as "the poor man's cocaine," meth can and has affected people from across the spectrum. Meth is one of the most devastating drugs. Not only does it have harmful effects on users, but it can also lead to deadly consequences.

Almost everyone has heard of meth, but what exactly is it? According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, methamphetamine comes from amphetamine and is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Meth can be smoked, ingested, snorted, and injected. It can come in a powder form that resembles crystals and a rock form known as "ice." It can also come in the form of brightly colored pills known as "yaba." Crystal meth also goes by many different street names that people might be accustomed to hearing, such as speed, crank, ice and crystal.

Usage of methamphetamine can have many negative physical, as well as psychological, effects. Initially, meth use increases energy and alertness and decreases appetite, but over time, a person can become tolerant of the drug. As a result, drug users may take higher doses of the drug or begin taking it more frequently in order to intensify the effects. Persistent usage of meth can also lead to psychotic behavior such as hallucinations, paranoia and violent episodes. People on meth will often do risky, dangerous things they normally would never do. This is known to someone as "tweaking."

There are also many physical effects users develop as a result of meth units. Due to its ability to suppress appetite, meth users usually lose drastic amounts of weight. Meth is also reported to attack the immune system, so users are more prone to infection. Other physical effects include "meth mouth," where meth users lose their teeth, and a condition where users develop sores from scratching because they feel as if they have bugs crawling under their skin.

Meth can also have negative effects on the brain. Research has shown that 50 percent of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain can be damaged by chronic meth usage. It has also been shown that the serotonin-containing nerve cells may be damaged even more extensively. As a result, users were shown to score very poorly on memory tests.

So, with all these facts, the questions arise as to who would even use this drug and where do they get it from? In reality, people of all ages and races use meth. This is probably due to how cheap it is and its easy accessibility. Meth can be manufactured in home labs that are often referred to as meth labs. It can be made out of household products such as over-the-counter cold medicine and drain cleaner. These labs have been found in such random places as cars, garages and mobile homes, and are usually hard to catch because of their portability. This also poses a threat to not only the people making the drug, but also to their families and neighbors since these labs are prone to explosions.

The chemicals and products used in the production of meth often cause severe eye, nose and throat irritations and can cause skin burns or difficulty breathing. Not only do meth and the production of meth pose serious physical effects on the user, but it also can harm others living in the home where the drug is being made. In one Oregon home where meth had been produced, police discovered a three-month-old's bottle touching a drug-filled syringe and hypodermic needle. The parents of this child were arrested for possession of meth and child endangerment. Children who grow up around a meth lab are at risk of developing respiratory problems as well as receiving acid burns from exposure to toxic chemicals. For this reason, children found living where a meth lab is discovered are often taken away from their parents and put in someone else's care.

One pound of meth is equal to five pounds of toxic waste. As a result of this, clean up of these meth labs costs extensive amounts of money. The clean up of one meth lab costs, on average, $1,000. This is because these sites require hazardous waste protection. As a result, many states are finding that they have to stretch their budgets to meet the economic requirements that these meth labs are requiring.

Aside from physical and psychological effects, methamphetamine usage can also have personal effects, such as relationships with family members and friends. Take, for example, Amber, a teenager from Kansas. She began using meth when she was 12 years old. She is finally off the drug, but now regrets ever using it. "I hurt a lot of people I care about," she said. "I did a lot of things that, if I could take back, I would."

Meth usage can also have a negative effect on school and career work. "Meth makes you feel more powerful, like you can do anything," says Chris, a 17-year-old from Nashville. "I was on the debate team, getting good grades in school, and had two jobs, but it was a short-term fix." Chris started taking meth to help him stay up late, studying. He was getting just six hours of sleep a week. "I had to have meth to maintain my day." Not surprisingly, Chris's school work began getting worse and worse as a result.

Overall, it is easy to see how meth is quickly becoming a major issue nationwide. It can not only have negative psychological and physical effects, but it can also effect relationships and work. Meth is highly addictive and should not be used, even if you think it will be "just this one time."

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There are a lot of things going on in Cumberland County this weekend.

Cumberland County High School will celebrate Prom 2008 Saturday night. The Cumberland County Playhouse hosts its annual dance program and Ms. Cam's studio spring performance is Saturday at Stone Memorial's auditorium, and the CCHS choir will perform their spring concert at Linary Church of Christ Sunday evening. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. and free to all who attend.

Ms. Cam's dance program features 140 student dancers ranging in age from 3 to adult. Dance numbers include ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and creative movement.

There are two shows Saturday, one at 2 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at the studio on Main Street or at the door. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.