|
Methamphetamine
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant drug that strongly activates certain systems in the brain. Methamphetamine is chemically related to amphetamine, but the central nervous system effects of methamphetamine are greater. Both drugs have some limited therapeutic uses, primarily in the treatment of obesity.
Methamphetamine is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Street methamphetamine is referred to by many names, such as "speed," "meth," and "chalk." Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear chunky crystals resembling ice, which can be inhaled by smoking, is referred to as "ice," "crystal," "glass," and "tina."
Methamphetamine is the primary drug of choice in more than 40% of all admission into drug and alcohol treatment programs in Sonoma County. Methamphetamine is impacting the rest of the nation as well: from 1993 to 2003, the number of admissions to treatment in which methamphetamine was the primary substance of abuse increased from 20,776 in 1993 to 116,604 in 2003.
Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse: NIDA InfoFacts Methamphetamine and SAMHSA TEDS Highlights for 2003
As national awareness about methamphetamine increases, information about meth and the impact it is having on our communities has also become more available. Below are just a few of the links that address this subject, arranged by topic.
|
| |
 Methamphetamine Report to Sonoma County Health Services 
The Department of Health Services convened a multi disciplinary workgroup with representatives from County Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment, Family, Youth and Children Services, the Narcotic Task Force, Adult Detention, Public Defender, District Attorney and the Probation Department. The report provides background on methamphetamine addiction and current information on production, distribution and sale of methamphetamine in Sonoma County. It highlights the scope and impacts of meth use on the community and the county services systems and resources and discusses the use of "best practices" in AOD prevention and treatment.
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Methamphetamine Abuse & Addiction
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has developed this publication to provide an overview of the latest scientific findings on this drug, with a goal of translating what scientists learn from research to help the public better
understand drug abuse and addiction and to develop more effective strategies for
their prevention and treatment.
Methamphetamine Use, Abuse, and Dependence: 2002, 2003, & 2004
This Short Report is based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), conducted by SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies (OAS) in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This survey is the primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the general U.S. civilian non institutionalized population, age 12 and older.
Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), University of Maryland Research Reports
The University of Maryland has published a variety of reports on methamphetamine, which can be accessed here. In order to view only their publications on methamphetamine, select methamphetamine as the search criteria.
|
Best Practices in Methamphetamine Treatment |
Methamphetamine Treatment Project
The Methamphetamine Treatment Project (MTP) is a joint initiative to study the treatment of methamphetamine dependence, implemented by the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), and the Matrix Institute on Addictions.
SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocols - TIP 33: Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders
The Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) are best practice guidelines for the treatment of substance abuse. The US Deparment of Health and Human Services Center for Substance Abuse Treatment's (CSAT's) Office of Evaluation, Scientific Analysis, and Synthesis draws on the experience and knowledge of clinical, research, and administrative experts to produce the TIPs
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs: Presentations by Richard Rawson, Ph.D.
ISAP (Integrated Substance Abuse Programs) coordinates substance abuse research and treatment under authority of the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. ISAP is a division of the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. Richard Rawson is the associate director of ISAP.
|
For Parents & Educators
|
 Delayed Prenatal Care: meth use in pregnancy may flag more drug abuse
Doug Brunk of the International Medical News Group reports on the first-ever study of demographic and health care characteristics of mothers who use methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine & Pregnancy Fact Sheet
Sonoma County AODS fact sheet that addresses the effects of methamphetamine on children during and after pregnancy.
Mind Over Matter: Methamphetamine
This site, sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is designed for children from fifth to ninth grade. It explains what methamphetamine is, effects of this drug, how it changes the brain, and more.
Tips for Teens: Methamphetamine
The US Department of Health and Human Services provides these methamphetamine facts, specifically geared towards teens.
Warning Signs: Is Your Child Using Meth?
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America lists some of the warning signs that parents should be aware of.
|
Methamphetamine & Child Welfare
|
US Department of Health & Human Services: Impact of Meth on the Child Welfare System
Methamphetamine use is a growing problem for children and families across the country. To protect and support families, child welfare workers need to know what this drug is and how it affects users. The resources on this page are separated into the following categories: Statistics and the Scope of the Problem, Responding to and Treating Methamphetamine Use, and Additional Information on Methamphetamines and Child Welfare.
North Carolina Division of Social Services: Crafting a Safe, Family Centered Response to Meth
This April 2005 issue of the Practice Notes newsletter for child welfare workers in North Carolina describes the impact of family methamphetamine use and production on children. The issue reviews risk factors for child maltreatment and suggest techniques for helping families.
 Experts Caution Against Rush to Judgment on Meth
Elizabeth Stawicki of Minnesota Public Radio reports on the Minnesota Supreme Court task force on chemical dependency presentation by national experts Dr. Timothy Condon, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Dr. Barry Lester, director of Brown University's Center for the Study of Children at Risk and Infant Development Center.
Committee on Government Reform Hearing - Fighting Meth in America's Heartland: Assessing the Impact on Local Law Enforcement and Child Welfare Agencies
This is the site for the Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources hearing regarding their work on the problem of methamphetamine trafficking and abuse – a problem that is ravaging the entire nation and putting a severe strain on law enforcement agencies and child welfare programs, particularly at the state and local levels.
Testimony of Nancy K. Young, Ph.D., Director, National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare; and Director, Children and Family Futures
Testimony of Laura Birkmeyer, Assistant U.S. Attorney, San Diego, CA; and Chairperson, National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
|
Communities & Methamphetamine |
MethStories: Affecting Your Community
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has compiled these five personal profiles of people whose lives have been impacted by methamphetamine.
County of San Diego Methamphetamine Strike Force
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorized the formation of a multi-disciplinary Methamphetamine Strike Force in 1996. The Meth Strike Force is composed of approximately 70 member organizations and agencies, including local, state, and federal representatives from public health, law enforcement, judiciary, education, treatment, prevention, and intervention agencies.
Humboldt County Methamphetamine Fact Book
This Community Handbook and Resource Guide is the product of SPAN, California's Humboldt County Speed Prevention and Awareness Network. SPAN is composed of
members from Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Humboldt County Schools, Humboldt District Attorney’s Office, Family Recovery Services, North Coast Children’s Services, Simpson Timber, Domestic Violence Project, and other community members and organizations.
|
General Information Links |
|
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Methamphetamine Resource
National Institute on Drug Abuse: NIDA InfoFacts Methamphetamine
MethResources.gov
Meth Free MT
US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Meth
Drugstory.org Feature: Methamphetamine
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Meth Information & Resource Center
Institute for Intergovernmental Research: The Methamphetamine Problem
California Office of the Attorney General Methamphetamine Fact Sheet
streetdrugs.org: Methamphetamine
|
|
|
