Crystal Meth use among Teens
Continued abuse of the drug can also lead to inflammation of the heart lining, with overdoses causing hyperthermia (elevated body temperature) and convulsions. Overdosing crystal meth can also lead to coma or death, due to severe convulsions that result in circulatory and respiratory collapse. There are even reported deaths in persons that only used small doses.
Risks
Other problems that can arise with the use of crystal meth include:
∑ Paranoia
∑ Anxiety
∑ Confusion
∑ Hallucinations
∑ Insomnia
∑ Violent behavior
Psychotic symptoms may last for months, or possibly years, after someone has stopped using the drug! Overuse of the drug can bring on short term memory loss, wild rages and drastic mood swings, as well as the obvious damage to the immune system.
Other Dangers
Users who inject the drug potentially expose themselves to HIV, hepatitis B and C and other viruses that pass through the blood from an infected needle. Other issues that can arise from repeated injections of crystal meth include:
∑ Infections of the heart lining and valves
∑ Scarred or collapsed veins
∑ Abscesses
∑ Pneumonia
∑ Tuberculosis
∑ Liver disease
∑ Kidney disease
A huge problem for crystal meth users, is the sense of sexual liberation which can lead to hours, or perhaps days, of high-risk sexual activity. This is one of the reasons for its huge popularity in the US gay dance scene.
According to reports, nearly half of the new AIDS cases are related to the use of crystal meth.
Street Terms
It�s important to know some of the terms that someone might use when referring to crystal meth. Slang, or street terms used are: Batu, blade, Cristy, crystal glass, Hanyak, Hiropon, hot ice, Kaksonjae, L.A. glass, L.A. ice, quartz, Shabu, shards, stove top, super ice, Tina, Ventana, and Vidrio. The standard types, or mixes, are a rough yellow substance called Hydro, and Glass which is a smooth white blend.
Hana C.
Pittsburgh, PA
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By: ilanaapril Posted: May 02 2008