Teens and Meth
Drug abuse has been around since the first person realized that smoking, snorting, or ingesting chemicals can give you a “high” feeling. The popularity of different drugs has changed over the years, but the drug abuse has remained. While in the past American youth partook in marijuana use, cocaine, and LSD, today’s teens have moved on to a new, extremely dangerous drug known as meth. Unlike other substances, the effects of meth drug abuse can be seen far before any of these other drugs and normal hard working people will begin to look as though they have aged 30 years in a matter of months. Here is some more information about meth that parents and teens can use to educate themselves on this dangerous.
1. Meth stands for methamphetamine. This class of drug enters the brain and causes a large release of the chemical dopamine. The release of dopamine by the brain triggers activity in the pleasure and reward centers causing an intense euphoria, which is why people choose to do the drug in the first place. Because of this intense euphoria that users feel, addiction is very possible which will eventually lead to drug abuse.
2. There are several routes that can be taken when it comes to the use of meth. The most common way to take the drug is by crushing it into a powder and snorting it through the nostrils. The chemicals are then absorbed through the mucous membranes and are able to quickly enter the bloodstream. When drug abuse begins, snorting does not provide the desired effect as well as other methods, and users begin changing how they use meth. It can be vaporized and inhaled through a glass pipe, or when there is serious drug abuse going on, users begin to inject the drug directly into their bloodstream using a syringe.
3. The drug abuse could be occurring right inside of your home. What is especially frightening about meth is that it can be synthesized using household products and over the counter cough and cold medicines. The only warning sign that meth is being created indoors is that a strong smell comes along with it. If there is an unrecognizable (usually foul) odor coming from your home then it is likely that your teen is partaking in drug abuse.
Families and teenagers are being ravaged by meth and it is up to the parents and the schools to educate children about the dangers of drug abuse. There have been too many cases of bright, focused young people that have had their lives ruined by this drug. Even professionals with spouses and children have succumbed to the allure of methamphetamines and have spiraled out of control. There have been some measures taken to prevent the creation of this drug, such as disallowing an individual from purchasing multiple bottles or boxes of cough and cold medicine, but that is not going to be enough.
