| As the crystal meth epidemic continues to get | | | | paranoia, hallucinations, sores on the skin, the |
| worse, it is vital to be aware of the common signs | | | | presence of staph infection or reoccurring staph |
| of crystal meth abuse. Crystal meth is the man-made | | | | infections, a rush of energy that can last for hours at |
| drug that is killing our sisters, brothers, friends and | | | | a time, staying up for long periods of time or sleeping |
| loved ones, and it is happening everyday. Crystal | | | | at odd hours, unable to wake once asleep, missing |
| meth is made strictly from chemicals found around | | | | money or valuables, extreme cravings, and constant |
| the house. These chemicals include, but are not | | | | mood swings. Because this drug is made up of pure |
| limited to; lye, Sudafed, battery acid and Draino. | | | | chemicals these are just a few of the symptoms |
| Methamphetamine was first developed by the | | | | that someone may show while abusing crystal meth. |
| Japenese and later used by the military to keep the | | | | The long-term effects of this drug are not yet |
| soldiers up and active for long periods of time. The | | | | known. |
| Japenese created tons of methamphetamine to feed | | | | These symptoms can occur in a person all at once or |
| their soldiers. In fact, by the end of the war the | | | | sometimes, only a few will manifest themselves. The |
| country had thousands of pounds of the drug that | | | | important thing to realize is that if you have any |
| had never been consumed. It was only a matter of | | | | suspicion you are probably right. A more fool-proof |
| time before this large stockpile of methamphetamine | | | | method of detection is to administer an at-home |
| left over from World War 2 made its way to the | | | | drug test. These drug tests can be purchased at |
| Japenese residents. Their abuse of methamphetamine | | | | almost any pharmacy and often times the results are |
| started the first wave of crystal meth addicts. And | | | | ready in as little as a few minutes. |
| today, crystal meth abuse is one of the most | | | | If you have noticed any or some of these |
| dangerous drug threats to our country. | | | | symptoms in someone you know then the time to |
| Someone that is abusing crystal meth will display the | | | | act is now. Immediately contact a drug and alcohol |
| following characteristics; anorexia (or severe weight | | | | rehab. Crystal meth abuse will kill a person if it is not |
| loss), dilated pupils, increased heart rate and blood | | | | handled right away. The only wrong thing to do is |
| pressure, repetitive and obsessive behaviors, | | | | nothing at all. |