Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 Source: Herald Standard (PA) Copyright: 2005 Herald Standard Contact: http://www.heraldstandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3464 Author: Steve Ferris, Herald-Standard OFFICIALS OUTLINE METHAMPHETAMINE THREAT HOPWOOD - Methamphetamine is not prevalent in Fayette County like other illegal drugs such as marijuana and crack cocaine, but it's just a matter of time before it starts showing up, said D. Elaine Surma, senior supervisory narcotics agent for the attorney general's office in Erie. "The reality is, we know it's coming," Surma said. About 30 people listened to Surma's presentation on methamphetamine Wednesday at Amvets Post 103. The Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Uniontown's police and fire departments and state police to hear Surma's presentation on methamphetamine sponsored the awareness meeting. Surma said the chemicals used to manufacture it, the makeshift labs set up to produce it and the devastating physical and psychological effects it has on users make methamphetamine - also known as crystal meth, ice, crank, speed and jet fuel - far more dangerous than narcotics commonly found in the county. "This is the worst stuff I've ever seen," said Surma, a 20-year veteran in the attorney general's office. She said methamphetamine use and labs have already become problems in the northwestern counties like Erie, Crawford and Venango. In eastern Pennsylvania, it has the nickname "monster." Statewide, 128 meth labs were discovered last year, but that figure pales in comparison with the 5,000 found in San Diego County, Calif. "Without your involvement, it spreads like wildfire," Surma said, noting that the average "cook" who makes meth in a lab teaches his or her illicit craft to 10 other people. Meth labs can be set up almost anywhere from wooded areas, to homes, to hotel rooms and mobile labs have been found in RVs. Most of the chemicals and materials needed are or are made from common household and consumer products like acetone, salt and rubbing alcohol. Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are found in over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, ether is in engine starter sprays, hydrochloric acid can be found in swimming pool chemicals, sodium hydroxide is found in lye, sulfuric acid is in drain openers, toluene can be found in brake cleaner, methanol is an additive in gasoline and trichloroethane is an ingredient in gun cleaners. Surma said the two main chemicals are tincture of iodine and red phosphorus, and both leave easily detectable red stains on everything they touch. Equipment used in production includes aluminum foil, coffee filters, blenders, buckets, jugs and bottles, tempered glassware, thermometers, measuring cups, beakers, gas cans, funnels, rubber tubing or hoses, propane cylinders and rubber gloves. The chemicals give off strong odors and the heat used in manufacturing leads to fire and explosions. For every pound of meth made there is six pounds of toxic waste, she said. The effects on uses are worse. Surma said outlaw biker gangs used to make a form of meth in the 1970s, but its history goes even farther back. She said Hitler used it and gave it to Nazi soldiers to make them more aggressive. "We always heard Hitler was crazy. Hitler himself was a methamphetamine addict," Surma said. In Japan in World War II, the drug was given to kamikaze to help them carry out their suicidal missions. "It wasn't the saki," Surma said. She said less than 5 percent of users every recover from their addition. It causes extreme weight loss, high body temperature, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Methamphetamine can be injected, snorted, smoked or eaten and looks crystalline like sugar or salt, but is darker in color. The initial rush lasts five to 30 minutes, but the high lasts four to 16 hours. Binging for a number of days will keep a use awake the entire time, depleting the body's nutrients. Tweaking, or using additional amounts to try to revive the high, make users violent and unpredictable, and some people follow it with alcohol or heroin to try to make themselves feel better, she said. Users share needles and trade sex for drugs, which leads to additional health problems, Surma said. - --- MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)