Pubdate: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 Source: Daily Press, The (WI) Copyright: 2001 The Daily Press Contact: http://www.ashland-wi.com/placed/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/960 Author: SANDY AGOSTINE THE TRUTH ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINES "First I started by smoking cigarettes, then shortly after that I drank alcohol, then smoked pot. Until I started high school, I never knew how many other choices I had..." - -- Anonymous Ashland County student One of the choices he has is most any kind of drug: licit or illicit. All he needs is a connection of some sort, either with someone who has it or a dealer. Methamphetamine, a synthetic central nervous system stimulant, is one of these available drugs. It is manufactured illegally more than any other drug. Like other amphetamines, it induces feelings of well being, alertness, and energy. "Meth" can be orally ingested, snorted, smoked or injected. Users describe the effects of this drug as being just like those of cocaine, except they last many hours instead of minutes. In the brain, meth increases the release and blocks the uptake of dopamine. This neurotransmitter controls feelings of pleasure and well being. It also increases the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in some areas of the brain. A user's level of physical activity skyrockets as their desire to eat and sleep plummet. When the pleasurable effect wears off, it is replaced by a wired or anxious feeling. Meth can cause aggressive behavior, violence and paranoia as the drug elevates the user's heart rate, body temperature and rate of breathing. Whereas certain drugs increase dopamine in a roundabout way, such as marijuana which works on the neurotransmitter anamide which in turn affects dopamine levels, methamphetamines stimulate this reward center directly. When a person comes down from the rush, they can have a strong craving for another dose as their natural reserves of both dopamine and norepinephrine drop. Studies by researchers at the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have found that "study subjects with reduced dopamine transporters also exhibited memory impairment and slowed motor function." This also adversely affects motivation, attention span, movement and other higher functions. New research has also shown that it can take one to three years after quitting chronic use of methamphetamines before a user's body recovers, IF it ever does. During this recovery period, the low dopamine baseline can be passed onto offspring through the female or male. If a woman uses while she is pregnant, meth can destroy cells in the pleasure center as well as other areas of the brain involved with thought and emotion. To complicate matters further, individuals with lower biological levels of dopamine are more prone to becoming addicted. According to researcher and pediatrician, Jamie Hutchinson of Washington D.C. a baby born to a methamphetamine user may suffer lifelong emotional paralysis. This may include an inability to feel pleasure, to control emotional outbursts, and make judgments based on feelings. "Researchers report that death of the fetus or newborn and other medical complications have been associated with prenatal methamphetamine use, cause either by reduced blood flow to the fetus or direct toxicity to the fetal brain." (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1996) Ice is a very pure smokable form of methamphetamine. It is also called crystal or glass and it is even more highly addictive than meth because it produces intense effects with an almost instant onset. It also can do physical damage faster. Heavy or long term use of any kind of methamphetamine can cause brain damage similar to Alzheimer's disease and can harm other major organs of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Continued use results in severe mineral and vitamin deficiencies. This harms the user's immune system as it wears the mind and body down. If you have any questions about drugs or whether your child may be using, please contact the Ashland Area Council on AODA, Inc. Sandy Agostine is a Certified Prevention Professional and has worked as an Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor throughout Ashland County for the past 23 years. She has a Bachelor Degree in Education. If you have any questions or comments, she can be reached at the Ashland Area Council on AODA, Inc. (715) 682-5207. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart