Methamphetamine Resources

Pierce County

An Introduction to Methamphetamine

It's called chalk, crystal, glass, ice and speed. It can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked. It is made using ingredients from over-the-counter cold medicines and chemicals. It is methamphetamine, meth for short.

To learn more street names for methamphetamine, visit the Office of National Drug Control Policy Methamphetamine Page.

Symptoms of Methamphetamine Use

Immediate symptoms can include:

Aggression
Inability to sleep
Paranoia
Itchy skin
Tooth grinding
Increased physical activity
Disassembling mechanical items

Long-terms symptoms can include:

Low body weight
Rotting teeth
Open sores
Memory loss
Impaired learning
Chronic depression
Heart and brain damage

Treatment Information and Options

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has released 13 fundamental principals of drug abuse treatment. These ideas are the core of helping someone with a drug addiction:

No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals.
Treatment needs to be readily available.
Effective treatment attends to multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug use.
During drug treatment, a patient may develop a need for legal, medical, social and vocational services.
Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness.
Counseling and other behaviorial therapies are critical components of effective addiction treatment.
Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with other therapies.
Drug-abusing individuals with coexisting mental disorders should have both treated in an integrated way.
Medical detoxification is only the first stage in treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use.
Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.
Possible drug use during treatment must be monitored continuously.
Treatment programs should provide assessment for communicable diseases and education to reduce risk of exposure.
Recovery from addiction can be a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment.

To view a short list of available treatment providers and support services for those struggling with addiction, please visit the Drug Addiction Treatment Directory.

Information for Family Members

Posters, stickers, T-shirts, key chains, and air fresheners may be obvious items to spot in a line-up, but drug paraphernalia come in many forms. Some paraphernalia are specifically designed to look like everyday items that you might find in a teen's room, backpack, purse or car.

Other Resources

Information for this web page was compiled from a number of sources, all of which are listed here. If you or someone you know is having a problem with meth, please take the time to learn more about the drug and what you can do to curb the addiction.

National Institute on Drug Abuse		Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

MethResources.gov		Parents. The Anti-Drug.

freevibe.com		National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign