Vital Facts for Parents

Are you concerned about your son's or daughter's use of drugs? Could they possibly be using the devastating drug, METHAMPHETAMINE, also known as Crank, Meth , Speed, Ice, Crystal , or Glass?

The following are physical symptoms you can watch for

Stimulated, jerky movement; rapid speech; hyperactivity
Behaviors that indicate feelings of intense excitement or euphoria
Lack of sleep, insomnia
Increased energy
Dilated pupils even when exposed to light
Mood swings, irritability, nervousness
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Unusual sweating, dry mouth, or hot flashes
Chest pain or heart palpitations

Methamphetamine can be taken orally, smoked, snorted or injected. Look for drug paraphernalia such as spoons (often bent unto a U-shape), syringes, straws cut into short sections, small metal, clay or glass smoking pipes or small plastic baggies.

Methamphetamine will be in a powder or crystalline form and can be many colors such as white, pink or beige, depending on the manufacturing process, purity and the ingredients with which the drug is cut or blended.

Long term use can result in the following symptoms :

Mental confusion
Deteriorating school grades
Aggressive or assaultive behavior
Dramatic weight loss
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Hallucinations or paranoia
Tremors, shaking, or convulsions
Hypertension
Cardiac arrhythmia
Dental decay
Open sores from constant picking and scratching the skin
(this is a reaction to the harsh chemicals used to manufacture meth )

What to do about it: If you feel your son or daughter may be using methamphetamine, or any drug for that matter, confront them and ask! Their welfare is at stake and you must do something before its too late. A drug test (urine being the best) could be ordered by your family doctor, and it might clear up any suspicions. However, note that Meth stays in the system and is, therefore, detectable only for approximately 72 hours.