A new crisis is beginning to hit the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey. Crystal meth isn’t a newcomer on the drug scene, but it is now showing up with alarming regularity. In the past, when meth was found by law enforcement it had usually originated from the Midwest and West Coastal regions. Now we are seeing it much closer to home.
Last week a local meth lab was busted by state police in Lansford, Carbon County. A woman was arrested after her cooking operation was found when a search warrant was executed.
Meth labs are an inherently dangerous operation to the user and anyone in the surrounding area; deadly consequences can occur. When meth is “cooked” there are many different chemicals that are mixed together that can harsh chemical reactions. The result of these chemical reactions are explosions, severe burns, lung damage, brain damage, and sometimes, death. When meth is produced a tremendous amount of waste is manufactured. The production of one pound of meth results in more than five pounds of very toxic, dangerous byproducts as leftovers. This becomes a hazard to not only the people that are “cooking” but also everyone else that is around it. The vapors in the air contaminate everything it touches, including food. If children are present everything they touch contains chemicals that could ultimately kill them. Below is a quote from a mother who was cooking meth.
“When I gave my three-year-old son some cheese to eat, I did not know that I was giving him poisoned food. I was too stoned on meth to notice, until twelve hours later, that my son was deathly ill. But then I was so stoned it took me two hours to figure out how to get him to the hospital five miles away. By the time I got to the emergency room my boy was pronounced dead of a lethal dose of ammonia hydroxide—one of the chemicals used to make meth.”
Methamphetamine goes by any number of slang terms on the street. It is called meth, glass, ice, tweak, speed, and crank. When it is used it makes the addict have a false sense of happiness, energy, confidence, and/or an overall sense of wellbeing. That is until the drug wears off and they need more. There are a lot of short-term and long-term consequences from abuse:
Short-Term Side Effects Of Meth:
- Memory loss
- Aggression
- Psychotic behavior
- Insomnia
- Weight loss
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Long-Term Side Effects Of Meth:
- Heart Arrhythmia
- Damaged Blood Vessels
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Liver Damage
- Strokes
- Heart Attacks
- Death
If you or someone in your life is using crystal meth you should seek treatment immediately. Finding a drug rehab for crystal meth detox is going to be your first step. Clearbrook has treated those suffering with an addiction to crystal meth for decades. Some of the effects from long term use can be irreversible. Please get help today before it’s too late.
