Featured Articles

One out of every three teenagers in Georgia does not believe methamphetamine is risky, one in five say it is easy to obtain and that someone has offered it to them, one in three say that the drug helps you lose weight, and one in four say it makes you happy.

Almost 60 percent of Georgia teenagers have never discussed that the methamphetamine use with their parents.

These alarming statistics are from the Georgia Methamphetamine Use and Attitudes Survey of 2,432 teenagers and 314 young adults.

The survey was part of a project aimed at preventing teenagers from trying methamphetamine. The adults in the survey were more likely to believe that methamphetamine is beneficial.

• 32 percent of the adults believe methamphetamine helps you lose weight
• 23 percent of young adults believe it makes you happy
• 19 percent of young adults believe it helps you deal with boredom.
  

The problem is that methamphetamine is far from safe and extremely addictive. It changes the chemistry of the brain, causing intense cycles of high and low energy and mood changes, and causing the brain to release dopamine at four times the levels that cocaine does.

"Methamphetamine is a lot more powerful than cocaine and the effect lasts longer, " said Neil Kaltenecker, spokesperson for the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse. "Not to mention that the caustic materials used to make the drugs are toxic."

Labels: research, meth

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

In Tennessee, meth lab seizures rose by a shocking 76 percent in 2009. The state's Director for the Meth Task Force, Tommy Farmer, believes the sharp rise in seizures is due to improved investigative methods.

In a March 3 ad on the website of Tennessee newspaper The Tomahawk, freelance Paula Walter reported on other causes -- and likely effects -- of the increase in meth-related arrests:

While many methamphetamine labs are often set up in out-of-the-way, clandestine areas, new ways of producing meth have arisen. The most common is known as "shake and bake." This method has increased in popularity not only in Tennessee, but across the nation.

This methodology is faster than the traditional methods. However, it is extremely dangerous as the chemicals needed for this process are highly volatile, resulting in explosions. Our burn units are bursting at the seams,  said Farmer. At this time, 60 to 70 percent of lab seizures are shake and bake, Farmer added.

Methamphetamine causes devastating effects upon users, their families and communities. Methamphetamine use destroys families and individuals. Communities with meth users often see an increase in burglaries and thefts as users look for ways to obtain money. Children of methamphetamine users often are abused and neglected.

Labels: law, meth

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Mendocino County, Calif., is launching a new anti-meth project that uses image-altering software to show teens what their faces might look like after prolonged use of the drug.

The Face2Face project is being spearheaded by Sheriff Tom Allman. Using the software, Allman is able to show kids what they might look like three months, six months, a year and even three years into a methamphetamine habit.

Allman commented on the effectiveness of his method: "You're young. You're vibrant. You have great-looking skin. Your hair is there, your teeth are there. The software ... morphs it into causing the physiological effects that meth causes -- the open scabs, the droopy skin, the hair loss. It strikes at the vanity of teenagers. Some kids start crying when they see the devastating effect meth can do to their complexion. It was the way to crack the nut -- to say, 'This could happen to you.'"

The addiction rate after first-time use of methamphetamines is extremely high -- around 90 percent, Allman claims. Thus, Allman's goal is to prevent first-time use.

(Source: www.npr.org)

Labels: meth, teen drug use

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A substance abuse forum held this week in Benicia, Calif., by local school and police officials included strong warnings from a local psychiatric social worker about the dangers of methamphetamines.

The social worker, Jeremy Taubman, warned that methamphetamines can traumatically affect the life of the user. He even described "Christmas tree" or "holiday" meth -- a green version of the drug that is made using clog-remover Drano crystals (meth is typically white or yellowish in color).

Methamphetamines are a type of stimulant. Stimulants are a class of drugs that stimulates the body's central nervous system, causing euphoria and then a devastating crash which pushes users to constantly seek out more drugs. Meth can be injected, snorted, smoked or consumed orally. It can be "cooked" in a home kitchen using ingredients that are easily obtained at supermarkets; however, the process often results in explosions and toxic fumes and waste.

(Source: www.timesheraldonline.com )

Labels: meth, substance use

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

According to data recently released by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, meth use among Montana teenagers has significantly decreased. The data comes from Montana's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which found that since the Montana Meth Project was first launched in 2005, meth use among teens in the state has dropped by 63%. The YRBS is conducted every two years by the Montana Office of Public Instruction, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The study also found that between 2005 and 2007, the incidence of workers testing positive for meth decreased by 72%. Between 2005 and 2008, meth-related crime was reduced by 62%, and meth-related admissions for substance abuse treatment declined by 34%. In addition, the number of children placed in foster care because of meth-related incidents decreased by 11%.

Montana Meth Project chairman Mike Gulledge commented on the findings: "The 63% decrease in teen meth use reported by the state and the CDC continues a trend we have seen since the launch of the Montana Meth Project in 2005. ... Four years ago, we realized that if Montana was going to eradicate its meth problem we needed to launch a research-based prevention effort that would capture the attention of our young people and stop them from ever trying the drug. The result was the Montana Meth Project, which has had demonstrated success in educating Montana's young people about the dangers of meth use. The program has exceeded all expectations and I commend the people of the state of Montana for making it possible."

(Source: www.marketwatch.com)

Labels: meth, teen drug use, montana

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Hawaii is stepping up efforts to dissuade youth from using methamphetamines (meth). This week, a narcotics police captain, a judge and a medical examiner related real-life stories and statistics to impress upon young people the dangers of meth. Their message: Don't use meth, "Not Even Once."

The new efforts are part of the Hawaii Meth Project, a statewide campaign to significantly reduce first-time meth use. The project utilizes public service messages, public policy and community outreach to spread the message. The judge, Second Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza, tells young people that in his experience there is no such thing as a casual meth user. He believes most meth users start out thinking they can quit whenever they want, but they quickly realize that this isn't true. He commented, "Prevention is far better than working on the cure." The addicts he sees in his courtroom tell him, time and time again: "There's no in between. You can't use a little bit."

(Source: www.mauinews.com)

Labels: meth, hawaii, hawaii meth project

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Teen Meth, Pot Abuse on the Decline

Teenagers are cutting back in their use of marijuana and methamphetamine, according to a study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Methamphetamine use decreased by 25 percent since 2005, and is now used by three percent of teens. Marijuana use declined 24 percent since 1988.

The Partnership attributed the decline to more communication about drugs between parents and adolescents. The survey indicated that 37 percent of teens learn about drugs from their parents, and that group is 50 percent less likely to abuse drugs.

However, abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrups shows no decline. One in five teens or a projected 4.7 million said they tried these drugs at least once, and a projected 2.5 million used them in the past year.

"This risky behavior is still not in the parent's radar, many of whom don't realize that when abused or used without prescriptions, these medications are every bit as dangerous as illegal drugs," said Connie Berhost, an executive with a Missouri drug action center for teens.

Labels: drugs, meth, pot

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Idaho continues to be ravaged by the destructive force of meth; however, a recent survey shows positive results from the advertising campaign conducted by the Idaho Meth Project. The fledgling nonprofit organization launched a mass media campaign across Idaho last year, which features public service spots showing the grim realities of meth addiction to target those most vulnerable to trying it for the first time.

Teenagers experienced the biggest rise in awareness: 82 percent (up 5 percent from the benchmark study) of teens say there is "great" or "moderate" risk in taking meth once or twice. As many as 63 percent (up 8 percent) of those teens feel there is a great risk. The survey also shows the numbers are up for teens who would strongly disapprove of taking the drug once (83 percent), while 71 percent said their friends would give them a hard time if they tried it even once. Six out of 10 teens have told a friend not to use it.

Megan Ronk, Idaho Meth Project director, is very pleased with the survey results. She believes the advertising campaign is having a positive impact. "In the world of prevention we've see a pretty significant shift in terms of what young people throughout the state think about meth. They perceive greater risk in using the drug and they're talking to their friends."

(Sources: www.bonnercountydailybee.com)

Labels: meth, prevention, teenagers

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The Illinois Meth Project recently released the results of the 2008 Illinois Meth Use & Attitudes Survey. The results show that teens in central Illinois are more aware of the dangers of first-time methamphetamine (meth) use. Over half (53 percent) of teens reported seeing "great risk" in trying meth, which is a 7 percent increase over the 2007 results.

Other perceptions also changed over the past year. The percentage of teens who agreed that trying meth just once can result in getting hooked increased from 76 percent in 2007 to 88 percent in 2008. Teens also acknowledge other meth-related risks in greater numbers than last year: dying (68 percent in 2007, 76 percent in 2008), stealing (74 percent, 81 percent), having unwanted sex (75 percent, 83 percent), tooth decay (65 percent, 74 percent), poor hygiene (71 percent, 79 percent), or turning into someone they don't want to be (81 percent, 88 percent). (Source: www.carmitimes.com)

Labels: meth, awareness

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

According to the Sheriff of Franklin County, Illinois, the state ranks fourth in the nation in terms of methamphetamine (meth)-related arrests, and almost three-quarters of those receiving treatment for meth use began using the drug at age 17 or younger. Illinois currently spends approximately $2 billion annually combating meth use.

In a recent story published by the Franklin County local newspaper, the Benton Evening News, Sheriff Bill Wilson is touting the recent expansion of Illinois' large-scale meth prevention program, the Illinois Meth Project. Sheriff Wilson commented on meth use in Illinois, especially among young people:

"There has never been a drug as powerful, addictive, and quick to destroy lives and communities as methamphetamine. & Meth is the top drug of choice and is the number one drug problem in central and southern Illinois. The financial and social consequences of meth abuse are devastating and meth is increasingly gaining popularity among Illinois' most vulnerable  teens and young adults."

The expanded prevention program will include increased anti-meth advertising, marketing, outreach, and education efforts in the southeastern counties of Clark, Crawford, Edwards, Jasper, Lawrence, Richards, Wabash, Wayne, and White.

(Source: www.dailyamericannews.com)

Labels: meth

Posted By: jgarcia 0 Comments

According to state officials, methamphetamine has become the clear drug of choice among Utah females, ages 18-34. According to an article in the Salt Lake Tribune, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., recently spoke on the issue to the Utah Methamphetamine Joint Task Force, which gathered Monday one last time on Capitol Hill before disbanding. The two-year Task Force was formed in 2006 for the purpose of identifying "ways to attack the raging addiction that ravaged families in every part of the state." Governor Huntsman described the state's pattern of meth abuse: "It's the supermom syndrome - the thinking that you've got to do it all." Although women between the ages of 18 and 34 are the most typical users of meth in Utah, the state is also struggling with significant meth use at the junior high and high school levels. (Sources: www.sltrib.com)

Labels: drug-abuse, meth, females

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments