A USER’S GUIDE TO METHAMPHETAMINE
嚜澤 USER*S GUIDE TO METHAMPHETAMINE
A self-help guide to reduce harm for people who use methamphetamine
1st Edition, March 2017
Acknowledgements
This booklet was adapted from an original publication created by The National
Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney,
Australia.
This information does not constitute medical advice. Please seek the
immediate help of a qualified medical practitioner about any personal health
concerns. This booklet is being distributed for information purposes only.
In the current state of crisis related to crystal methamphetamine, this booklet
is intended as a guide to reduce harm for people who use methamphetamine.
It lists the most common features of methamphetamine use, ways to reduce
harm associated with the use of meth, and strategies for cutting down and
quitting. The best way to avoid problems with drugs is to not use them.
We are grateful for the contributions of the Integrated Drug Strategies
in Waterloo Region and Guelph Wellington, in particular the leadership
of Adrienne Crowder and Lindsay Sprague. Don Roth, Kerry Manthenga,
Shirley Hilton, and our community review team provided great support and
helpful edits. Marcey Gray provided exemplary skill on the design, images
and editing, with final expert assistance from Arkay Design and Print.
We are thankful for the financial support to print copies from the
Waterloo-Wellington Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee.
For more information please contact:
Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy
wgdrugstrategy.ca
Waterloo Region Integrated Drugs Strategy
waterlooregiondrugstrategy.ca
Circulated with the support of:
WaterlooRegion
Integrated Drugs Strategy
WaterlooRegion
Integrated Drugs Strategy
The best way to avoid problems with drugs is to not use them. However, if
you choose to use them it is important to do so in the safest way possible.
This booklet aims to give information to current meth users about the drug
and the risks involved, so that they can make more informed decisions.
This booklet does not have to be read from cover to cover. The first half
gives the reader information on methamphetamine (also known as Meth and
Crystal Meth) common features of meth use and ways to reduce problems
associated with the use of meth. Users who want to cut down, or stop using
altogether, will find the second half of the booklet useful.
Of course, not all the information that users need can be contained within
one booklet. For further information about meth, or any other drug, contact
your local telephone drug information service. The numbers for these services are listed at the end of this booklet.
WHAT IS METHAMPHETAMINE?
※METHAMPHETAMINE§ is the name given to a range of different street
drugs that, in chemical terms, are related to AMPHETAMINE. Amphetamines
are drugs that are classed as STIMULANTS, or sometimes they are called
psycho-stimulants. Stimulants are drugs that increase central nervous
system activity 每 they basically change the way your brain does things,
including making you breathe faster, making your heart beat faster, giving
you more energy, and making you feel like you can handle anything that
comes along. A variety of stimulants are used all over the world, some for
many centuries. They vary in strength and effect, and may be legal or illegal.
Amphetamine, ephedrine and cocaine are examples of strong simulants
while caffeine and nicotine are also stimulants, but have much weaker
effects. Some stimulants occur naturally, like cocaine, which comes from the
coca plant; however, amphetamine is a completely man-made substance
that is related to adrenaline, a stimulant that occurs naturally in our bodies.
Meth most often comes in powder form. It varies in colour from white
through to beige, orange and pink, and anywhere in between. The powder
may be very fine and powdery, or more coarse and crystally, depending on
how much it*s been cut and with what. Meth has a bitter, chemical taste and
sometimes a pretty strong smell, so often people taste or smell it before they
buy it to make sure they*re actually getting what they pay for. But the smell
and taste won*t always guarantee that it is actually meth.
The chemicals that are used to make meth were banned in 2003, which
means that backyard chemists or ※cooks§ making meth have since had
to find new ingredients to put into it. It also means that now, what we call
※meth§ is really a whole family of different but related drugs, each with
its own recipe using commonly available chemicals and over-the-counter
medications such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine,
iodine, red phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, ether, hydriodic acid, and
anhydrous ammonia.
1
The average purity has started to increase recently, but even so, chances are
that if you buy a gram of powder meth, most of what you get is going to be
things other than meth, like sugar or glucose, bicarbonate soda, ephedrine,
pseudoephedrine, vitamins, Epsom salts or some other substance. There is
NO quality control on street drugs, and no guarantee that what you*re buying
is safe.
Although powder is still the most common form of amphetamine available it
does come in other forms, such as dexamphetamine or Ritalin.
One form of meth that has recently become more available is a crystal sort
of meth. As with normal powder meth, there are many different recipes that
are used to make the crystal form, and there are different sorts available
that may look, smell and taste different. They have a lot of different names
too, including ※crystal§, ※crystal meth§, ※ice§, ※jib§, ※crank§, and ※glass§.
Although people may think that they are all different from each other, the
fact is that they are all forms of meth and they all have pretty similar sorts of
effects; it*s the intensity of the effects that differs.
Generally, these types of meth come in the form of a crystally powder, or
crystals that look like bits of broken glass or crushed ice. They are usually
colourless but may be lightly coloured pink, blue or green. People use
these forms of meth in a number of different ways, including snorting or
swallowing, but many people either inject them or smoke them through
a special glass pipe a bit like a crack pipe. Most of the meth available
in Canada is made here, but some of it also seems to be imported from
countries like the Philippines and Thailand.
Although these forms of meth have only started to become more available
within the region in the last few years, we know from the experiences of
other countries that they are more dangerous than the older types of meth
that have been around for decades.
In countries like Japan, the Philippines and parts of America like the West
Coast and Hawaii, drugs with names like ※ice§ and ※shabu§ have been
around for a while and have caused a lot of problems for people who use
them. That*s because these crystal forms of meth are a lot stronger and
purer than many meth users are used to.
Everything that we say about meth in this book also applies to crystal forms
of meth, no matter what name the dealer gives them. And actually, what we
say about meth applies more to crystal, because all crystal is a stronger form
of meth. So, when we say that meth keeps you awake it means crystal will
keep you awake longer. When we say meth might cause you depression or
anxiety when you*re coming down, it means that crystal is more likely to do
that and that the comedown will be more intense than with normal meth.
Keep in mind, whatever name you give to the crystal forms of meth that have
become more widely available in the last couple of years, it is a strong form
of meth that will cause the same sorts of effects and problems 每 just more
intensely than would normal meth.
2
Meth is a drug that*s pretty easy to get, and a wide range of people use it.
Since the early 2000s, meth has been the third most popular illegal drug
in Canada (after marijuana and cocaine). While we can*t be sure how many
people in Ontario are using meth, there are a several indicators that tell us
meth has become much more popular in recent years. These indicators
include a larger number of people seeking help for amphetamine addiction,
a larger number of people being admitted to hospital with illnesses or
injuries related to amphetamine, and an increase in amphetamine-related
arrests and drug seizures by police.
WHY DO YOU USE METH?
There are many reasons for first trying meth and for continuing to use it. The
most common reasons reported by meth users are:
? To feel good
? To party and have fun, for energy and self-confidence
? Curiosity 每 maybe your friends have tried it and have told you about the
good effects
? It can help you feel like one of the group 每 especially if all your friends are
saying how much fun it is and you don*t want to feel like you*re missing out
? Availability 每 it*s easy to get and cheaper than some other drugs
? It can suppress your appetite and help you lose weight
? Boredom 每 maybe you*re just really bored and looking for a bit of action
? Believe it can help cope with stress, worries or a bad mood
? Believe it can help with work, university or school by giving more energy
? Some people use meth out of habit
ASK YOURSELF,
※WHY DO I USE METH?§
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