What does someone that uses Meth look or act like?
Methamphetamine can change your physical appearance. Some changes
observed are dilated pupils, excessive tooth decay along with black spots on
the enamel, blotchy skin, scars, sores on the skin, and generally poor
personal hygiene. Jumpy or “having the jitters,” behavior can be observed as
well as hyperactive physical activity and/or talkativeness.
www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view
gallery.cgi/olive/view gallery.ata?g id=2927
Emotionally, a methamphetamine user may be moody, aggressive, agitated,
paranoid, have extreme trouble sleeping or staying on task, talk and/or
fidget incessantly, be very restless and uninterested.
www.salinecountysheriff.com/whats cookin.html
How does Meth affect me or my community
As the drug takes over, parents forget to be parents or are unable to
care for their child. Neglect occurs, as well as the need for aftercare of
the child that has been exposed to toxic fumes, chemicals and or drug
paraphernalia. Paranoia sometimes results in domestic violence stemming from
Meth use, and the children may be removed from the home. The funding for
these needs often fall on the taxpayer.
www.adoption.about.com/b/a/223454.htm
Grandparents becoming parents and raising their grandchildren, resulting
from the parents having their children either legally removed, or were
simply unable to care for them. Foster care is also an issue.
www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?display=rednews/2005/03/28/build/health/50-meth-kids.inc
How am I affected by Meth related crimes and what can I do to prevent
becoming a victim?
After purchasing an item for a retail store for cash, keep your receipts.
Take them home, shred them there. Meth users have turned to “dumpster
diving” to look for cash receipts, go into the store and shoplift the item
on the receipt, and return it for cash. These thieves may also go through
your trash at home looking for receipts they can use. Again, shred your
receipts and canceled checks or copies of checks. Do not leave boxes for big
ticket items such as televisions, computers, stereo systems, etc. on your
curb, the night before garbage day, put those boxes out the morning of the
trash pick up as it may be an unintended invitation for burglary. It may not
be the person who lives on your street, but it maybe someone who drives by
or has acquaintances in the area, or the case of who that person tells.
Check your credit report regularly for activity that is not yours, such as
someone trying to open a credit line in your name. Do not keep your
checkbook or checks in your car, keep them locked inside your home or
office, preferably in a locked or secured area.
Taxpayers pay the price when Meth addicts end up in the criminal system.
Meth use has caused their teeth to rot either from the caustic chemicals
used in the drug itself, or as a by-product of the use not practicing basic
oral hygiene as well as the acidic nature of the drug itself.
www.npr.org/tempaltes/story/story.php?storyId=4793417
Online Identity theft is becoming a very serious problem, and is
affecting communities and citizens.
www.usatoday.com/tech/news/internetprivacy/2005-12-14-meth-online-theft
x.htm
Toxic by-products of using Meth, either by smoking, cooking, or storing
the chemicals used to make it, cause difficulty breathing, eyes and skin
become irritated and may burn, light headedness, nausea and headaches
www.kci.org/meth info/links.html
Kid’s deaths and endangerment are being linked to Meth at an alarming
rate.
www.azcentral.com/arizonareplublic/local/articles/1130childdeaths.html
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