Methamphetamine: The newest of the “Kentucky Uglies” Prepared by: Holly E. Hopper, MRC Extension...

MethamphetamineMethamphetamine::

TheThe newestnewest of theof the “Kentucky Uglies”“Kentucky Uglies”

Prepared by: Holly E. Hopper, MRCPrepared by: Holly E. Hopper, MRC Extension Associate for HealthExtension Associate for Health

Crystal MethamphetamineCrystal Methamphetamine

What is methamphetamine?What is methamphetamine?

A psycho-stimulant known as:

• “meth”• “speed”• “crystal”• “ice”• “uppers”• “poor man’s cocaine”• “black beauties”

Who is at risk?Who is at risk?

•Women•Men•Teens•Abusers of other drugs

Anyone willing to try it.

Why women?Why women?• Buying into weight loss advertisements• Myths about energy• Myth of productivity• Attempts to be “Super Woman” • Child care

Why youth?Why youth?• Adult family members’ use• Think it is fun• Cheap and popular• Easy to find• Believe local availability means safety

Why men?Why men?

• Belief it provides more energy • Belief they will be more productive• Looking to improve work

performance• To escape from life stress

Dangers associated with Dangers associated with MethamphetamineMethamphetamine

• Addiction• Aggression• Brain damage• Paranoia• Family violence• Criminal

involvement• Multiple health risks• Death

How did methamphetamine get to How did methamphetamine get to Kentucky?Kentucky?1970-California discovered meth

1990’s: Moving eastward…Utah, Kansas and Iowa

Arkansas:www.co.benton.ar.us

1994 6 labs1998 434 labs2002 953 labs

2001 Missouri Extension targets problem2002 Oklahoma Extension targets problem2003 Iowa Extension partners with area Substance Abuse Council

--part of Healthy County programming2003 Indiana Extension (Purdue) targets methamphetamine

2003 KENTUCKY BECOMES FAMOUS FOR DRUG PROBLEMS

THE PROBLEM FEELS OVERWHELMING…

What does meth do to you?What does meth do to you? In the short-term:

•Euphoria•Increased alertness•Dilated pupils•Paranoia•Decreased appetite•Increased physical activity; jerky or flailing movements, picking at skin or pulling hair•Irritability, nervousness•Trouble sleeping•Aggression and psychological distress•Teeth grinding•Non-stop talking•Rapid heart beat and increased blood pressure•Heart-failure, high body temperature, or death

What are some other effects?What are some other effects?Common long-term effects are:•Tooth decay•Acne or skin sores (“speed bumps”)•Anger•Panic•Paranoia•Hallucinations•Repetitive behavior patterns•Fatal kidney and lung disorders•Brain damage•Liver damage•Blood clots•Chronic depression•Malnutrition•Disturbed personality•Deficient immune system•Violent or psychotic behavior

Why don’t people just stop using?Why don’t people just stop using?• People can go without sleep for as many

as 13 days while using methamphetamine.

Upon waking, users will experience intense :

• Drug craving• Irritability• Loss of energy• Depression• Fearfulness• Drowsiness• Shaking• Nausea• Heart palpitations• Sweating• Hyperventilation• Increased appetite

It doesn’t make senseIt doesn’t make sense• Impaired reasoning• Lost jobs• Lost lives• Lost friends• Damaged relationships• Paranoia• Psychological pain• Physical pain• Disease• Death

Employment and LivelihoodEmployment and Livelihood

• 38 to 50% of all workers’ comp claims are drug and alcohol related.

(National Council on Compensation Insurance, 1993)

• 71% of current drug users 18 and older were unemployed.

(1995 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, SAMHSA, August 1996).

Methamphetamine & EnvironmentMethamphetamine & Environment

• Toxic waste• Water pollution• Soil pollution• Risk to food supply• Property contamination• Exposure risk can last

years

Landowner’s ResponsibilityLandowner’s Responsibility• Know what happens on your land• Maintain safety of rental property• Become aware of potential

liability

Protect yourself and your farmProtect yourself and your farm

What are signs of production?What are signs of production?

• Strange smells• Strange looking trash• Blacked out windows• Night traffic

DO NOT attempt clean-up on your own.DO NOT attempt clean-up on your own. This requires special protective

equipment and training to reduce health risks from corrosive burns, asphyxiation, toxic exposure, fire, and toxic psychological effects from exposure to methamphetamine oil.

Methamphetamine “lab”Methamphetamine “lab”

Risks to Families and ChildrenRisks to Families and Children• Fetal defects, abnormality• Domestic violence• Child neglect • Child sexual abuse• Child physical abuse• Child poisoning• Brain damage• Toxic living environments• Death

Family members as victimsFamily members as victims

• Loaning money• Theft of money • Theft of valuables• Threats of violence• Threats of harm• Community crime increase• Meth production on family

property

Social & cultural strengths of East KentuckySocial & cultural strengths of East Kentucky

• Family• Pride • Hope• Privacy• Faith• Resilience • Tradition• Unconditional support• Strong emotional

expression• History

What if I find a meth production site?What if I find a meth production site?

DO NOT attempt to clean or inspect DO NOT attempt to clean or inspect the site yourself.the site yourself.

Call Operation UNITE:1-606-424-4382Kentucky State Police:1-800-222-5555

Meth-certified officers are available to handle such situations.

What can I do to help?What can I do to help?

• Talk to others• Get involved• Talk to your kids• Encourage users to seek treatment• Seek the aid of law enforcement• Support others affected by drug use• Become aware of national trends• Build community assets• Build developmental assets

What is the role of extension?What is the role of extension?

Sources:Sources:• http://www.health.org/newsroom/rep/215.aspx• http://training.ncjfcj.org/rural_issues.htm• http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/

methamphetamine. html• http://www.kci.org/meth_info/faq_meth.htm• http://www.iir.com/centf/guide.htm• http://parentingteens.about.com/library/sp/

drugs/bl-meth-kentucky.htm• http://www.accesskansas.org/drugenforcement/

retailmeth.htm• Methamphetamine Fact Book, A Community

Handbook and Resource Guide, Speed Prevention and Awareness Network (SPAN)

Sources:Sources:• Newspaper clippings from the Lexington Herald Leader• Lab photos courtesy of the Fayette County Police

Dept.• Brain and meth user photos from, Hawaii’s Ice Age• The DAWN Report: Club Drugs, 2001 Update, October

2002, SAMHSA.• www.samhsa.gov• www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov• www.drugabuse.gov • www.monitoringthefuture.org• www.notometh.org

Movie that accurately portrays methamphetamine use:• Requiem for a Dream

Warning: This movie is an accurate but graphic portrayal.

For more information on health issues in Kentucky, contact your local County Extension Office or

visit the HEEL website at:

www.ca.uky.edu/HEEL

This information is provided by the H.E.E.L. Program. Health Education through Extension Leadership (H.E.E.L.) is a partnership among the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Program, the

University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and the Kentucky School of Public Health.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

The development of the HEEL program was made possible by Senator Mitch McConnell with funds earmarked for the University of

Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Lexington, KY and budgeted through the CSREES/USDA Federal Administration.