Methamphetamine is a highly addictive stimulant that is chemically similar to amphetamine. It is typically taken orally, snorted, smoked, or injected and produces an immediate euphoric high followed by long term negative health effects. Long term methamphetamine abuse can lead to malnutrition, severe tooth decay, heart or brain damage, stroke, psychosis and depression. While teen use of methamphetamine has declined in recent years, it remains a dangerous drug with potentially serious health consequences from both short and long term use.

1. S
Methamphetamine
By: Julie Frankian

2. What is Methamphetamine?
S An extremely addictive stimulant that is chemically similar
to amphetamine.
S Takes form of white, odorless, crystalline powder.

3. Street Names
S Beannies
S Crystal
S Chalk
S Crank
S Speed
S Redneck Cocaine

4. How are Methamphetamines
Used?
S Orally
S Snorted
S Smoked
S Injected
S Smoking or injecting the drug delivers it very quickly to
the brain, where it produces an immediate, intense
euphoria.

5. Affects on the Brain
S Brain damage
S Memory loss and inability to grasp abstract thoughts.
S Damage to blood vessels

6. Short Term Effects
S Extremely pleasurable sensation called “rush” or “flash”.
S Lasts only a few minutes.
S Snorting or swallowing produces a high, not a rush.
S Weakness
S Rapid/ irregular heart beat
S Increased respiration

7. Long Term Effects
S Malnutrition/ weight loss
S Severe tooth decay
S Heart attacks, stroke and or death
S Psychosis
S depression

8. Low Intensity Abuse
S Use Methamphetamines because:
S They want the extra stimulation.
S Want to be able to stay awake to complete tasks.
S Want appetite-suppressant effect to lose weight.

9. Binge Abuse
S Use Methamphetamines because:
S They want a higher dosage.
S Allows individual to feel more of the “rush” sensation.

10. High Intensity Abuse
S These users are often “speed freaks”.
S Refuse to let themselves crash after getting high.
S Each high becomes less than the one before it.

11. Statistics
S Teen Methamphetamine Use at Lowest Levels in NIDA's
2009 Monitoring the Future Survey.
S Number of high school seniors reporting they used
methamphetamine in the past year is now at only 1.2
percent.
S The proportion of 10th graders reporting that crystal meth
was easy to obtain has dropped to 14 percent, down from
19.5 percent five years ago.

12. Discussion Questions
S Why do you think individuals start using
methamphetamines?
S Do you think that there are gateway drugs that lead to the
use of Methamphetamines?

13. References
S DrugFacts: Methamphetamine. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
S Meth Abusers - Signs & Symptoms of Crystal Meth Amphetamine Abuse - Drug-Free
World. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/how-methamphetamine-affects-people-
s-lives.html
S Methamphetamine - Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/methamphetamine/
S Short- & Long-Term Side Effects of Crystal Methamphetamine on the Body- Drug-Free
World. (n.d.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/the-deadly-effects-of-meth.html
S Teen Methamphetamine Use, Cigarette Smoking at Lowest Levels in NIDA's 2009
Monitoring the Future Survey. (2009, December 14). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/dec2009/nida-14.htm