Dangers of the New Ice Age

It was developed during by the Japanese. It helped the Kamikaze pilots complete their mission. was an IV amphetamine user. His doctors injected him daily. Meth is the drug of destruction.

This drug that was devastating in the 1960's has returned with vengeance to destroy a new generation. Speed is quickly addicting and speed kills.

A study by the National Institute of Justice indicates that 28 per cent of white female arrestees tested positive for this drug. This is evidence of a need for public information on the deadly effects of this drug that may be more addicting for women. Despite the high rate of use in metropolitan areas this drug is the fastest growing choice in urban areas.

To produce a pound of pure Ice requires only a few hundred dollars worth of chemicals. The most popular form of this drug actually resembles a piece of ice from the freezer. Other forms may be yellowish. It may be sold as pure methamphetamine or a mixture of heroin, crack, or methadrine. This drug is cheaper to produce that crack. The high experience from crack may last eight to forty minutes, but the Ice high lasts eight to thirty hours.

The pharmacological effect of methamphetamine are stimulation of the central nervous system. This produces and increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, palpitations and irregular heat beats, headache, increased and irregular breathing, dry mouth, blurred vision, appetite suppression, diarrhea, skin rash, and malnutrition.

The toxic effects of this drug are excessive sweating due to temperature that may rise to 106 degrees. A body temperature this high causes brain damage. Ice also causes cardiovascular collapse, convulsions, coma. cerebral hemorrhage and death.

A female population that finds this drug attractive for it's appetite suppression has also experienced a rise in violent crimes. 80 percent of female offenders have been the victim of violence. This drug increases paranoia and increases the Chance the user will commit violence. Regular users of this drug experience labile mood and episodes of agitation, anger, and aggression followed by periods of severe depression. To avoid the crash users will steal, rob, deal drugs, and prostitute to get more. Toxic psychosis ensues. Smokers develop delusions of grandeur, and experience hallucinations, paranoia, and become increasing violent.

This drug is extremely harmful to adolescents. The false feeling of power that is delivered with this drug is very addicting to adolescents that may feel insecure and helpless. A distorted reality is difficult to control when your brain functions are impaired. The drastic mood swings of this drug often result in death or suicide. Adolescent females need interests that offer a sense of mastery. They are less likely to use drugs or become pregnant when their self esteem is not based on body image alone.

All drugs wreak havoc on relationships, but Ice is especially dangerous. Ice users feel like that are going to explode. This is why Ice plays a role in increase domestic violence, burglary, and assaults. Users carry guns to fight off the paranoia: life's are wasted by the impulsive actions of deranged Ice smokers. Because Ice is so addictive it poses more social damage than crack.

Treatment is necessary when fighting an addiction to Ice. Part of treatment for the predominately female user is adopting a healthier body image. Media plays a strong role in leading adolescent females to believe that they must be thin to be beautiful. Until the vogue female image changes our adolescent female population remains at risk.

Identifying those in need of treatment can reduce crime up to 86 percent. If you suspect someone you know is using Meth, contact a counseling center to get info on intervention.