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What is Methamphetamine (meth)?
Who is Using Methamphetamine
Health Effects
Drug Information for Parents or Guardians
Educator Resources
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Methamphetamine is extremely addictive. Withdrawal from meth is more intense and longer lasting than withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamine. Recovery may be complicated by physical and mental illness, including prolonged depression.
Methamphetamine is a synthetic (or man-made) drug. The meth that is used illegally is made from dangerous chemicals, and sold in the form of pills, powder or chunks. Seventy to eighty percent of the meth used illegally in Minnesota comes from other states. Twenty to thirty percent of the illegal meth in Minnesota is made in clandestine laboratories (meth labs) in homes, vehicles, motels and many other locations.
Methamphetamine can be swallowed, inhaled (snorted), smoked or injected in its various forms. Meth may appear as an odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. In may range in color from white to brown, pink to red, or appear in various yellow shades, depending on the ingredients used to make it.
Common street names for the powder or chunk form of meth include: "speed," "meth," and "chalk." In its smoked form, methamphetamine is often referred to as: "ice," "crystal," "crank" and "glass." Crystal meth resembles rock candy, or chunks of ice or crystal.
Who is using methamphetamine:
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There are two basic profiles of users reported by law enforcement and treatment professionals:
Reasons people start using meth:
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Health effects
What happens to people who use meth (PDF)
Immediate (short-term) effects of methamphetamine abuse may include:
- Increased attention and decreased fatigue
- Increased activity
- Decreased appetite
- Euphoria and rush
- Increased respiratory rate
- Dangerously high body temperature
- Convulsions
Long-term (chronic) effects of methamphetamine abuse may include:
- Anxiety and anxiousness
- Severe weight loss
- Changes to brain and central nervous system
- Damage to heart or other major organs
- Tremor or uncontrolled motor activity
- Hallucinations
- Mood disturbances, including homicidal or suicidal thinking
- Violent and/or paranoid behavior
- Amphetamine psychosis
Symptoms of withdrawal may include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Paranoia
- Aggression
- Intense drug craving
Signs that a person is using meth:
- Smell on body, breath or clothes
- Extreme hyperactivity
- Unexplained silliness
- Constant sweating/poor grooming
- Rapid weight loss
- Increase or decrease in appetite
- Sores on body
- Needle marks
- Grinding of teeth
- Drop in school performance
- Chronic lying/dishonesty
- Unexplained money spending
- Change in activities
- Forgetfulness
- Violent temper
- Bizarre behavior
- Paranoia
- Suspiciousness
- Excessive need for privacy
- Secretive or suspicious behavior
- Resentful behavior
- Drug paraphernalia
- Never sleeps
- Loses friends
- DEATH
Drug Information for Parents or Guardians
Attention: Non-MDH links
Methamphetamine Presentation (PDF)
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department Presentation used for High School students.
TheAntiDrug.com: Action Guide for Parents
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.
Information and advice for parents about kids and substance abuse prevention.
Teen Talk: A Survival Guide for Teen Parents: Teens and Meth
University of Minnesota Extension Service.
A fact sheet available on this site with information and advice about teens and meth.
Just Think Twice
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s teen web page is designed to present facts frankly -- in a way that can help today’s teens make good choices.
Methamphetamine Brochure (PDF)
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department brochure used to educate about meth, how to spot a meth lab and what to do if you find a meth lab.
Educator Resources
Methamphetamine Presentation (PDF) Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department Presentation used for High School students.
National Clearing House for Alcohol and Drug Information
Several educational materials, including "What's Cooking in Your Neighborhood?"
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Mind Over Matter - school curriculum for grades 5 to 9
Scholastic ETV Consortium
Substance abuse prevention films and study guides
Methamphetamine Brochure (PDF)
Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department brochure used to educate about meth, how to spot a meth lab and what to do if you find a meth lab.
Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health.
