METHAMPHETAMINE
Links:
www.methresources.gov Federal site about methamphetamine
www.nida.nih.gov National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://wdh.state.wy.us/SAD Wyoming Substance Abuse Division
www.drugfreeamerica.org Partnership for Drug Free America
Methamphetamine abuse has significantly increased over the past 5-6 years in this state. Meth (aka crank, ice, crystal, chalk) is a highly addictive speed. Meth can be taken orally, injected, smoked, orsnorted. Meth addicts are extremely agitated, nervous, paranoid, exhibit rapid speech patterns, are disoriented, and can be dangerous. “Crankers”, those addicted to meth, may stay up for days at a time while abusing the drug. And then “crash”, or come down and sleep for long periods of time.
Meth addicts may show signs of injection use, or “tracks”, needle marks on their skin. Meth contributes to domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, theft and other property crimes. According to local Department of Family Services authorities, since 2004 there have been 56 families involved in meth related child protection cases in Converse County, involving 106 youth and children. Many of those children had been removed from the home and placed in out-of-home care. Costs due to methamphetamine abuse in those DFS amounted to nearly $829,000.
Methamphetamine abuse costs our society in other ways as well. Law enforcement expenses, court costs, medical care costs, and costs to the families involved. Those costs to families are difficult to estimate.
Our community and multiple agencies within this county are working on a local meth initiative. SFL is collecting data, with the assistance of many agencies, to develop a picture of the meth problem. The Douglas Police Department is arranging community meetings involving stakeholders to determine the extent of the problem, the issues involved, and to develop a community plan to address this problem.