What is ? Who uses methamphetamine? Individuals who abuse methamphet- also may have episodes of violent Methamphetamine is a synthetic In the past the typical methamphet- behavior, , , confusion, (man-made) that is highly amine user was an adult male with a and . Methamphetamine also addictive. The is abused lower than average income. However, can produce psychotic symptoms that because it produces euphoric now individuals of all ages and eco- persist for months or years after an effects—sometimes described as a nomic status use methamphetamine. individual has stopped using the drug. Data reported in the National sense of well-being—that can last up Methamphetamine abusers who Household Survey on Drug Abuse to 24 hours. Methamphetamine is inject the drug expose themselves to indicate that an estimated 9.6 million inexpensive and relatively easy to additional risks, including contracting U.S. residents aged 12 and older used produce—making it affordable and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), methamphetamine at least once in their readily available to teenagers. hepatitis B and C, and other blood- lifetime. The survey also revealed that borne viruses. Chronic users who many teenagers and young adults use What does it look like? inject methamphetamine also risk methamphetamine—338,000 individu- scarred or collapsed veins, infections of Because methamphetamine can be als aged 12 to 17 and 1.5 million indi- the heart lining and valves, abscesses, produced using many different meth- viduals aged 18 to 25 used the drug at pneumonia, tuberculosis, and liver and ods, its appearance can vary dramati- least once. cally. The drug may be sold either as disease. a powder—sometimes crystalline—or Methamphetamine use among high as rock-like chunks. The color of school students is a particular concern. What is it called? methamphetamine likewise varies: Nearly 7 percent of high school seniors in the United States used the drug at least The most common names for meth- white, yellow, brown, gray, orange, are crank, meth, and and pink all have been observed. once in their lifetime, and nearly 2 per- cent used the drug in the past month, speed. (Please see the Street Terms text box below for additional names.) How is methamphetamine abused? according to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future Survey. Methamphetamine can be injected, smoked, snorted, or ingested orally. What are the risks? Injecting or the drug pro- Street Terms for Methamphetamine duces an immediate and intense . Methamphetamine use is associated The euphoric effect that results from with many serious physical problems. Beannies Getgo snorting or ingesting the drug is not as The drug can cause rapid heart rate, Brown Methlies quik intense and requires more time to take increased , and damage Chalk Mexican crack effect—3 to 5 minutes for snorting and to the small blood vessels in the Chicken feed Redneck 15 to 20 minutes for oral ingestion. brain—which can lead to . Cinnamon Rock Chronic use of the drug can result in Crink Tick tick inflammation of the heart lining. Overdoses of methamphetamine can Crypto Wash cause (elevated body Fast Yellow powder temperature), , and death. Other products of interest:

, Huffing—The Abuse of , Methamphetamine Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth , , Youth, and the Internet Fast Facts

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Is methamphetamine illegal? For more information on illicit drugs check out our web site at: Yes, methamphetamine is illegal. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II www.usdoj.gov/ndic substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule II drugs, which include cocaine and PCP, have a high potential for abuse. Abuse of these drugs may lead to severe psychological or physical National Drug Intelligence Center 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor dependence. Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 Check out Fast Facts on: Telephone: 814-532-4601 FAX: 814-532-4690 , NDIC Washington Liaison Office , Crystal methamphetamine , 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 , GHB and analogs McLean, VA 22102-3840 , Telephone: 703-556-8970 , Inhalants FAX: 703-556-7807 QuestionsQuestions Jimsonweed NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , , ADNET http://ndicosa andand , LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic , LSD RISS ndic.riss.net Marijuana INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic AnswersAnswers , MDMA , PCP Call 814-532-4541 , Powdered cocaine to request NDIC products National Drug Intelligence Center , Prescription drugs a component of the

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