What has been the biggest problem with Meth?

[ericamanda01]

I am writing a research paper for my Sociology class about the effects of Meth in the US. I would love to get some opinions on what others believe to be the biggest problems that Meth has caused.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

The problems it causes are so broad, it's hard to just pick the biggest. Having watched a couple of family members battle meth and other addictions, I'd have to say that it completely numbs you from everything in your life and causes you to just not care about anything but the drug. Not caring about yourself, anyone or anything around you is what leads to all the other problems meth causes. Meth strips away all your feelings, emotions, everything. All you crave, all you care about is your next high. I would say that's the biggest problem with meth. It destroys you from the inside out.

 

[mousemomof3]

I have a friend who works as a DEA, you should contact you local DEA, or forensics agency and they should be able to give you info.

 

[ericamanda01]

You know what's funny, in all the research I have looked at hardly touches on how it effects the user emotionally, only physically.

 

[malibuconlee]

I agree with ChrisnSteph. From what I understand and have been told my my FIL who was a DARE officer before he retired last year they just lose the ability to function emotionally.

It also goes beyond those who take the drug. One of the members of my FIL's , oh why can't I think of the name of the drug enforcement team in the area? , anyway one of the officers on this squad has had health problems from all of his exposure in the line of work. These guys go into these meth labs which can be in anyone's home, and they were tracking the residue home with them from their shoes.

Makes you think twice when you're renting an apartment, doesn't it?

When the problem is so bad that they are banning treats in school it's very sad.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

You know what's funny, in all the research I have looked at hardly touches on how it effects the user emotionally, only physically.

Google meth and emotional effects and you can find all sorts of info, from reports to one on one interviews with meth users who describe the emotional effects of meth use.

 

[malibuconlee]

You know what's funny, in all the research I have looked at hardly touches on how it effects the user emotionally, only physically.

Try Here for an explanation of how it affects the the brain.

"Meth short-circuits the user’s brain, is highly addictive, and many of the abuser’s joys in life will slowly vanish as these nerve cells wither and die."

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

My brother and his ex were hooked on that stuff for several years. I don't know about his ex, but I know he's clean now. While they were using, they lost their house, their cars, their kids to foster care, their jobs-literally lost everything. They scammed people for money, stole things and pawned them etc. to get drug money.

My brother was very difficult to be around when he was on it, he was so crabby and mad all the time. He was paranoid, volatile and mean-especially when anyone confronted him about his usage. He did have times when he'd feel really guilty about it-you could tell, but he didn't care about all the things he lost-that didn't bother him. Until he got clean, that is.

Now, he got clean through the VA hospital, got a government job, left his wife, got a nice car and place to live and most importantly has his kids with him now.

The ex is a mess. She is still on drugs, partying it up, she's pregnant again. Doesn't give a rip about anyone but herself. The drugs do give her that meth rash and she's pretty skinny. She is a miserable person-to say the least.

 

[Martha7]

I've heard that one of the largest issues for society, is all of the children who have been left without functionning parents as a result of rampant meth addiction. Have you seen that site that shows the "faces of meth?" It has mug shots of meth users from the first arrest, to their recent arrests. It's really dramatic, when you see how their appearances have deteriorated!

 

[OhMari]

Every see how skinny meth users are. I can say I know about 5 people teenagers and early 20 yr olds that are meth users and they are about shriviling to nothing.

There was a boy in my dd's class. He is 21. He broke into houses in our village and into cars that were unlocked. He would steal any money that would be laying around and people's perscription drugs.

Anyway, my dd saw him this summer and she said it took almost 6 months for his body to stop craving meth. Then she said he kept apologize to her for what he did. My dd finally walked away and told him to go apologize to all the people he stole from.

 

[laurie31]

I've heard that one of the largest issues for society, is all of the children who have been left without functionning parents as a result of rampant meth addiction.

This was my thinking. The user has chosen to use the drug, for whatever reason. The children of the user are the innocent victims. They are left without proper supervision, food, etc, and often meth labs explode and the children are burned. Also, the fires themselves would be a sociological problem as they use the resources of the fire department and endanger surrounding property. Google meth lab explosion. It's not nice.

Here's an artical that describes the impact on the environment. Hadn't considered that

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/08.15.96/cover/speed2-9633.html

Laurie

 

[Kae]

We do not yet know the full physical effects on the children of Meth users. What effect does the cooking of meth in a home where children are present? And I do not think the effect of children born to meth mothers is known yet?

The sad thing about meth is it can grab on first use.

Kae

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am writing a research paper for my Sociology class about the effects of Meth in the US. I would love to get some opinions on what others believe to be the biggest problems that Meth has caused.

Biggest problems I see....

Corruption of communities (who wants to live near a STINKY lab with thieving druggies)
Criminal acts that result in robbery/murder/ rape/ prostition (to get $$$ for Meth or drugs to make Meth)
Destroys families. Kids go to foster care, have been in situations where they have been harmed or not taken care of properly (frankly they are abused).
Police have to spend our tax dollars chasing these druggies and dealers all over creation and then risk their lives to take them down. (Meth labs explode)

 

[Calliaz]

I see one of the biggest problems being the extremely dangerous/psychotic behavior of longer-term abusers. When I worked for a PD, it was always clear when a case was a meth case because of the random brutality involved.

Although, I did find this thought-provoking:
http://www.slate.com/id/2124885/?nav=tap3

 

[mill4023]

I've heard that one of the largest issues for society, is all of the children who have been left without functionning parents as a result of rampant meth addiction. Have you seen that site that shows the "faces of meth?" It has mug shots of meth users from the first arrest, to their recent arrests. It's really dramatic, when you see how their appearances have deteriorated!

Yep. We know some people who do foster care and more than half the kids they get are children of meth addicts.

 

[Sparx]

I used to know a site that has pictures of meth users before and after. I can't remember the url, but it was something like faces of meth.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

It is really sad what it does to the families of meth addicts. There is a huge problem with foster care right now b/c there has been a huge number of children being placed in foster care due to meth parents and there's no room for them b/c there's so darn many of them.

Meth seems to rob a person's ability to care about anything but getting their drug. Once my brother cleaned up, he began to care about things again, but it was a tough road to travel.

He knows quite a few people who still take it, but he doesn't associate with them anymore. One guy is so out of his mind, he hears voices all the time. I knew this guy growing up and he was a nice guy, but once he started meth, he went to prison, lost everything he had too and now he's out of his head mentally.

 

[ericamanda01]

Thanks to everyone who posted. I have found in my research that the effect meth has on all the children forced into foster care seem to be the biggest problem. It's just amazing. I found one group that tested the hair of children brought into foster care and 90% tested positive for meth. And these were 1, 2, and 3 year olds. It's just so sad. Again thanks to everyone, I can defiantly use some of the info in my paper.

 

[mtblujeans]

I haven't read the rest of the posted replies but, from what I understand, it seems that the instant addition is considered the biggest problem by some. I have heard law inforcement speak to kids in our area and they cannot stress enough their opinion that you cannot try it even once without touching the consequences of use!

 

[Martha7]

Good luck on the paper! At least it should be a fascinating topic to research. Don't forget to cite your sources in the bibiography, and to always include full paragraphs! (Sorry, but we're getting ready to help our older DS with a research paper on the environment...)